Delayed Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction can be performed weeks, months or even years after a mastectomy. Radiation or chemotherapy after mastectomy is not contraindication for a delayed breast reconstruction, neither is the age or the stage of your cancer. In comparison to an immediate breast reconstruction, skin and volume reconstruction is also necessary here in order to create a new breast. A number of different surgical techniques have been developed in the past years for breast reconstruction. The patient should choose the best option only after considering and discussing all the different possibilities, and understanding their specific advantages and disadvantages. Information on the Didyma website will help you through this evaluation process. 

What are the options for delayed breast reconstruction?

Options include: reconstruction using an expander implant, Latissimus Dorsi Flap and implant, or own tissue reconstruction (for example, a DIEP flap).

Is there a big difference in comparison to the immediate reconstruction?

The options stay principally the same. Only some techniques (e.g. the TMG flap) might not be suitable because of a limited amount of skin available, which wouldn't be the case with immediate breast reconstruction.

How do I choose the best breast reconstruction option?

A number of key factors will play a role in your decision making process: 

1. Deciding between an implant-based or an autologous (your own tissue) breast reconstruction.

2.  If implant-based, then depending on any previous radiotherapy treatment, the latissimus dorsi muscle might be used.

3. If autologous, then depending on your body habitus, the prefered donor site can be subsequently chosen. Autolgous reconstruction can be offered today to almost all patients, but some women might have to accept a smaller breast size with this option.