Options for Breast Reconstruction for Those Who Had Radiation? Doctor Answers, Tips
Breast Reconstruction: Q&A
Ask a Question

Options for Breast Reconstruction for Those Who Had Radiation?

What breast reconstruction options are best suited for radiation patients. complications? Is back tissue a good option to consider? Why?

8 Doctor Answers | Asked by anon
+1

Breast Reconstruction After Radiation

I always recommend transfer of non- irradiated tissue for reconstruction after radiation. The back tissue may be one option depending on the situation, but I prefer the lower abdominal tissue.
+1

Breast Reconstruction After Radiation Therapy

Breast reconstruction for patients who are going to have or who have had radiation therapy is best accomplished with flap breast reconstruction techniques that utilize only your own skin, fat, and muscle tissues. These all natural tissue breast reconstructions eliminate the potential complications of breast implant infection, breast implant capsule contractures, breast implant exposure. While not for everyone, flap breast reconstructions such as TRAM flaps, or DIEP flaps offer... more
+1

Post Radiation Breast Reconstruction Options

There is some controvery on how to approach breast reconstruction after radiation therapy (XRT). Radiation therapy is excellent in helping you reduce your risk for recurrence. As I tell my patients, radiation is excellent at killing microscopic cancer cells. However, radiation does "fry" the non cancer normal tissue as well. Radiated tissue will never be the same. Although some notable studies have shown acceptable results with implant-based reconstruction in patients who... more

You might also like...

Real Stories

Amazing Results! - Nashville, TN

I started the surgical process when I discovered I was BRCA2+. I chose Dr. Wendel to...

+1

Breast Reconstruction after Radiation

Due to the high incidence of capsular contracture with breast implants in those who have undergone radiation, I do not recommend their use in these patients. Although the latissimus dorsi (LD) flap involves a quicker recovery than other traditional tissue flaps, it often requires a small implant to provide projection and an aesthetically pleasing breast mound. Therefore in radiated patients, I prefer the LD flap as a backup procedure in the event that a patient is not a... more
+1

Breast reconstruction after radiation

As you have already read implants don't do well or look natural after breast radiation. The key is to bring in new healthy non-radiated tissue. One can consider either use of the abdomen, TRAM DIEP gluteal flap or back tissue flap.
+1

Your best option is autologous breast reconstruction.

Patient with radiation have higher risk of capsular contracture. Using DIEP flap from the abdomen without the use of the abdominal muscle is a good option if you have fatty tissue over the lower abdomen.
+1

Breast reconstruction

Radiated tissue does not do well with implants. Implant failure is very high in radiated tissue. The back muscle and skin (Latismus Dorsi Myocutaneous flap) will bring with it a health muscle with good blood supply and can use an implant undr that muscle. Othe option is the excess skin and fat in the lower abdomen, TRAM Flap, if there is enough fat you will not need an implant. Other options are the Free Flaps, taken from the abdomen, or the buttocks
+1

Breast reconstruction after radiation

If you have some extra tissue in the lower abdomen, this is the best option for breast reconstruction (TRAM, DIEP flaps) after radiation because it can be shaped into a soft natural looking breast. The radiation makes it extremely difficult for implants to work without dense scar tissues forming around them. Please go to a plastic surgeon who can offer you ALL options including microsurgical flaps (TRAM, DIEP etc) so the best option can be selected for you. The back... more
Doctors will not see your comments on their answers. If you'd like to follow up, please go here to ask another question.

Comments (0)

Ask a Question

Welcome Back

Sign in with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Forgot your password?

Don't have an account? Create one now.

Join RealSelf

Join with Facebook

Your information remains private and will not be posted without your permission.

Please enter a valid email address
 Did you mean ?

By creating an account, you are indicating that you have read and accept the RealSelf Terms of Use.

Already a member? Sign In.

Retrieve your password

Enter your username or email address and we will send you a link to login.

Check your email

Check your email. We've sent you a link to reset your password.

Ok