Breast reconstructive surgery

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. There is enough evidence that mastectomy has an important impact on patient self-esteem and body image. For this reason, breast reconstruction is an integral part of breast cancer treatment that improves patients’ quality of life and psychosocial well-being. The goal of reconstructive breast surgery is to create a breast with a natural shape, volume, contour, and symmetry that evolve harmoniously with the patient over time. Currently, many effective options are available for breast reconstruction. These include implant-based and autologous tissue-based reconstructions that can be performed in the immediate or delayed setting. This chapter gives an overview of the different techniques available for breast reconstruction and the refinement procedures for the reconstructed breast.