Is It Safe To Put Implants In After Radiation?

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2010 at the age of 33. I since have undergone a bi-lateral mastectomy...chemo and radiation. I am scheduled to begin reconstruction in Sept 2011. Due to the radiation on my right side would it be safer to do a DIEP procedure which is what my surgeon wants to do or can I just go with implants which is what I would like to do? Ive been checking up on it and have found alot of sights which say not to put implants in radiated skin

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by Yvonne in N.M. in Santa Fe N.M

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Radiation and breast reconstruction

Most plastic surgeons agree that using implants after radiation for breast cancer increases the risks of complications including infection, capsular contracture, and implant exposure. Radiated tissue has become more internally scarred, thinner, and with a decreased blood flow. Your surgeon has given you good advice to consider the DIEP flap for reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction with implants after radiation?

The use of implants after mastectomy with radiation for reconstruction has an increased risk of complications. The most common complications are wound healing problems, capsular contracture, and infection. It is always a better option to use your own tissue for reconstruction after having radiation. Options include a TRAM, DIEP, or latissimus dorsi flap. You should be comfortable with your plastic surgeon and he should take the time to explain the options and pros and cons of each procedure... more

Autologus breast reconstruction is a better option

The problem with the implant post mastectomy and radiation is the capsular contracture. You can get bilateral DIEP breast reconstruction if your plastic surgeon feel comfortable doing that.

Kamran Khoobehi, MD

28 reviews

New Orleans Plastic Surgeon

Implant Recontruction After Radiation

Breast reconstruction with implants alone or an tissue expander followed by implants definitely has increased risks especially related to wound healing. Better options are a TRAM or DIEP or a latissimus flap with or without an implant as each of these procedures brings healthier unradiated tissue into chest area.

Breast implants after radiation

Breast implants after radiation are associated with a very high chance of complications including implant exposure, capsular contracture and infections. This is because the radiated skin and tissue on the chest wall has less pliability and a poorer blood supply. For these reasons a flap reconstruction using your own tissues is strongly recommended in these situations. This can be using your abdominal tissues such as a DIEP or using one of several other options that can be... more

Bilateral DIEP is a good choice

So sorry for what you are going through. Radiated tissue generally reduces the quality of the soft tissues and increases the complication rate of implant reconstruction. An experienced surgeon in microsurgery and DIEP flap is recommeded. There are substatnial risks with DIEP's. However, preserving the abdominal musculartity in patients with bilateral breasts to reconstruct is worthwhile to reduce the risk with abdominal wall weakness. Wishing you the... more

Using your Own Tissues VS. Breast Implants in Breast Reconstruction after Radiation

RE: " I was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2010 at the age of 33. I since have undergone a bi-lateral mastectomy...chemo and radiation. I am scheduled to begin reconstruction in Sept 2011. Due to the radiation on my right side would it be safer to do a DIEP procedure which is what my surgeon wants to do or can I just go with implants which is what I would like to do? Ive been checking up on it and have found alot of sights which say not to put implants in radiated... more

Implants and radiation don't mix

If you have enough tissue for a flap reconstruction it will be much better than an impolant because the risk of capsular contracture around an implant in an irradiated bed is virtually 100% in some series. So sorry you have had this unfortuante occurrence .

Implants After Radiation Not Recommended

As a general rule, plastic surgeons do not want to place expanders and implants in tissue that has been irradiated. The complication rate is much higher and can include poor tissue stretch (the implants won't be large enough), increased scar tissue formation (capsular contracture) and the expander and implant can come through the skin (extrusion). The basic cause is firm tissue that does not have normal pliabilty due to the radiation. Bringing in better, undamaged tissue (like... more