Breast reconstruction
Breast reconstruction at the Cannes Mougins cosmetic surgery centre
Reconstruction using implants
Implant reconstruction can be performed in one or two stages depending on the quality and flexibility of the chest wall tissue.
Single-stage breast reconstruction using implants involves detaching the skin from the chest and abdomen. This skin is then shaped to reconstruct the inframammary fold and create a pocket into which the implant will be inserted.
Two-stage breast reconstruction using implants requires the initial placement of an expansion implant, which will be gradually inflated starting on the 15th day after the operation.
Several inflation sessions, performed in the clinic, are necessary until the desired breast volume is achieved. Once this volume has been achieved, the second procedure can be scheduled to insert the permanent implant.
Implant reconstruction may be combined with fat injections before or after the implant is inserted in order to thicken the tissue and improve the cosmetic result.
Flap reconstruction (using the patient’s own tissue)
Reconstruction using a flap can be performed using tissue from the back (latissimus dorsi flap) or from the abdomen (DIEP flap).
Reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi flap involves removing skin and muscle from the latissimus dorsi muscle. The scar from the removal is located on the back and is positioned so that it is hidden by the horizontal strap of the bra. The flap is removed from the back and brought to the breast: the dorsal skin is used to reconstruct the skin envelope of the breast and the muscle is used to create a pocket into which the prosthesis will be inserted. In some cases, it is possible not to insert an implant. The volume of the breast can then be increased at a later stage by injecting fat (autologous latissimus dorsi flap).
Reconstruction using abdominal tissue involves using skin and fat from the lower abdomen. The abdominal skin and fat are removed using a technique similar to cosmetic abdominoplasty. These tissues are removed along with their blood vessels, which are then connected to vessels in the reconstructed breast using microsurgical techniques. Once this step is complete, the flap is shaped to give it the morphology of a breast.
Regardless of the reconstruction technique used, it may be necessary to perform surgery on the other breast in order to achieve the best possible symmetry.
Further information on reconstruction using implants
General
anaesthesia Duration of procedure: 1½ to 2½ hours
In Mougins: Hospitalisation for 2 to 4 days Recovery
time: 15 to 21 days
Further information on flap reconstruction
General
anaesthesia Duration of procedure: 2½ hours (latissimus dorsi flap) / 5–7 hours (DIEP flap)
In Mougins: Hospitalisation for 5 to 8 days Recovery
time: 21 to 30 days