In breast repair surgeries, missing or asymmetrical breasts are provided to achieve a natural appearance. Depending on the situation, either a permanent breast prosthesis is placed directly or a tissue expander is placed for a while to allow the tissue to stretch and expand, and then the prosthesis is used.
Why is it done?
It is performed in order to regenerate the missing breast tissue in people who do not have one or both breasts, most commonly due to lampectomy and mastectomy operations (removal of breast tissue) after congenital or various traumas.
How is Breast Repair Performed?
There are 3 ways applied for breast repair. The first is the use of tissue expanders and prostheses. The second is the use of tissue obtained from the patient himself. Another option is the application of tissue transplantation enriched with stem cells. Depending on the condition of the patient and the breast, it is also possible to use some options together when necessary.
Repair of the Nipple and Areola
After the breast repair is completed and the breast takes its final form, a new nipple is made from the patient's own tissue. The tattoo method is generally used to create the dark area (aerola) around the nipple.
Ensuring Intermammary Symmetry
If only one of the breasts is to be repaired, it is configured in size and type in accordance with the other breast. If the healthy breast is too large or sagging, this breast can also be intervened in the same surgery and reduction and lift can be achieved so that the two breasts are equal.
Is Breast Repair a Painful Operation?
Mild pain may be felt after the surgery, which will decrease every day. The solution is provided by the use of simple painkillers.
Type of Anesthesia
Breast repair surgeries are performed under general anesthesia.
Breast Repair with Prostheses
What Are the Types of Breast Prosthesis?
•In terms of shapes:
•Drop prosthesis (Anatomical)
•In drop prostheses, the vertical diameter is slightly longer than the horizontal diameter, and the height of the prosthesis is higher at the lower pole than the upper pole. They are also called anatomical because they are more similar to the natural breast shape.
•Round prosthesis/span>
•In round breast prostheses, the horizontal and vertical base diameters are equal to each other. They have a common appearance.
In terms of content:
•Silicon-containing
•The inner and outer materials of silicone-containing implants are made of silicone. It is highly compatible with human tissues and is natural as a sense of touch.
•Contains physiological saline
•Prostheses containing physiological saline contain physiological saline.
•In terms of surface structure:
•Flat surface
•Rough surface
•Less in dentures with rough surfaces than those with flat surfaces.
Where Are Breast Prostheses Placed?
•Breast implant placement can be applied surgically from 4 places in general.
•Inframammary fold (submmammarian, IMF incision)
•Nipple circumference (periareolar)
•Underarm (transaxillary)
•belly button (transumbilical)
Where is the Breast Prosthesis Placed?
Although there have been variations such as dual plane, full or partial submuscular plane, and subfascial plane recently, implants are classically placed in submuscular or subglandular planes. Each of them has different disadvantages or advantages.
Round Prosthesis? Drop (Anatomical) Prosthesis?
In the selection of the shape of the breast prosthesis, the body structure of the patient and the condition of the tissue to be applied should be considered. With both prostheses, a very natural result can be obtained according to the current situation.
Breast Repair with Patient's Own Tissues (Autogenous Tissues)
It is the repair made with one's own tissue (consisting of skin, fat, muscle) in the person's body, which is called flap. Near or distant surrounding tissues from the abdomen, back or another part of the body are taken and transplanted to the chest area to create new breast tissue.
What Are the Characteristics of an Ideal Breast Reconstruction Method?
Being a safe practice for the patient
Minimal chance of complications
It does not bring additional risks to the patient, even if it does, these risks are at an acceptable level
Absence of obvious functional impairment
Does not cause delay in the application of treatments such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy
Creating a natural breast appearance and texture
Providing symmetry between the two breasts
Long-term permanent results can be achieved
Pre-Surgery Considerations
If the surgery is to be performed after breast cancer, the surgeon and oncologist evaluate the patient's condition together before the reconstruction. It is important to make the timing that is appropriate for the patient. As before all surgeries, it is recommended not to use anticoagulants and to quit smoking and alcohol use, if used, before breast reconstruction.
Post-Surgery Considerations
In the first week, you should lie on your back, not on your face for 6 weeks. Lifting the arms too high should be avoided. No shower should be taken for 2 days. In order to have a correct healing process, you should rest at the beginning and then excessive activity should not be preferred. It is necessary to use a sports bra for 3 weeks. Careful adherence to routine control planning is important.
Healing Process
It is necessary to stay in the hospital for 1 night after the operation. Bandages are removed on the 2nd or 3rd day after the procedure and normal life can be returned.
Breast Repair Surgery Prices
The prices of repair surgeries vary according to the technique to be applied, the stages and the condition of the patient.
What Are the Risks Related to Breast Repair Surgery?
Except for the possible risks that can be seen in all possible surgeries, there is no health risk especially related to breast repair.
Many women who have their breasts removed due to cancer can have a breast repair operation. Breast repair operation is performed while the breast is being removed (simultaneously) or in the next process (late repair) as the doctor deems appropriate.
Every patient's situation is different. Many factors such as the patient's age, body structure, radiotherapy or chemotherapy exposure, and the stage of the disease should be evaluated together by physicians.
It is the repair with a standard or inflatable breast prosthesis during the same surgery immediately after the removal of the breast tissue due to cancer.
If the skin is removed along with the breast tissue due to cancer, a tissue expander is placed on the breast in the same surgery. After a few months, the tissue expander is removed and replaced with a breast prosthesis, and the repair is completed.
It is the repair performed with a second surgery after the removal of the breast by surgery, at a later time, after radiotherapy or chemotherapy.
Although the duration of breast repair varies according to the planned surgery and conditions, it takes about 1-3 hours on average.