UNLABELLED The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is a state-of-the-art option for breast reconstruction. However, thin patients with medium- to large-size native breasts are not ideal candidates due to the limited amount of available tissue. We reviewed our experience utilizing the DIEP flap in combination with prosthetic implants. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cha...

INTRODUCTION: Autologous breast reconstruction is the preferred technique for those patients who require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of radiation, these patients may benefit from immediate placement of a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy followed by a second stage conversion to autologous tissue (delayed-immediate reconstr...

INTRODUCTION: Autologous breast reconstruction is the preferred technique for those patients who require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of radiation, these patients may benefit from immediate placement of a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy followed by a second stage conversion to autologous tissue (delayed-immediate reconstr...

BACKGROUND Breast reconstruction is associated with high levels of patient satisfaction. Previous patient satisfaction studies have been subjective. This study utilizes functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to objectively evaluate "sense of self" following deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction in an attempt to better understand patient perception. METHOD...

BACKGROUND Latissimus dorsi flap is one of the best options for immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. However, this technique is limited by the tissue volume provided by the flap. To improve breast volume while reducing complications, fat grafting is now very often used in addition to latissimus dorsi flap. To the best of our knowledge, fat grafting was always performed as a second-line ...

BACKGROUND This study examines the effect of timing (immediate vs delayed) on postoperative morbidity in diabetic women undergoing breast reconstruction after mastectomy. METHODS We reviewed the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) databases from 2005 to 2012 for all diabetic women undergoing breast reconstruction. Multivariable logistic regression was used to estimate the ri...

Breast reconstruction at the same time as mastectomy (immediate breast reconstruction) has also been adopted in an attempt to minimise the psychological trauma and reducing the stigma associated with whole breast loss. However, whether it achieves these aims remain unclear [6]. Immediate breast reconstruction operations do not impact on survival outcome [7] nor do they compromise adjuvant chemo...

BACKGROUND A consensus is lacking on a uniform reconstructive algorithm for patients with locally advanced breast cancer who require postmastectomy radiotherapy. Both delayed autologous and immediate prosthetic techniques have inherent advantages and complications. The study hypothesis is that implants are more cost effective than autologous reconstruction in the setting of postmastectomy radio...

This study documents the cost of immediate and delayed DIEP flap breast reconstruction. Immediate reconstruction is more attractive from an economic perspective since it only requires one operation, one anaesthetic procedure and one recovery period in hospital. From the perspective of healthcare budget management, assessing the possible cost savings from immediate reconstruction yields interest...