Breast reconstruction is a common procedure for women who have undergone surgery or have survived breast cancer. The surgery involves reshaping the breast to achieve symmetry and help the cancer survivor regain confidence. Depending on the case, the following procedures are recommended for breast reconstruction:
Breast implantation is a two-stage procedure wherein a tissue expander is placed under the chest muscle and is gradually filled with saline water during regular visits to the doctor. Once the tissue has healed, the expander is removed and replaced with an implant, which takes up to 2–6 months.
It is an autologous procedure, and it is done by removing a piece of tissue called flaps, which are collected from the skin, fat, blood vessels, and muscle. The flaps are collected either from the abdomen or back and can be pedicled or free, depending on where they were collected. In some cases, reconstructive microsurgery is used to attach the tissue to new blood vessels in the breast area.
After the chest region has healed from previous cancer surgery, the nipple and areola are reconstructed by cutting a small piece of skin from another region and then placing it on the newly reconstructed breast and shaping it. The areola is recreated by grafting skin from the abdomen or groin.
There are several types of reconstructive surgery that surgeons recommend after head and neck cancer surgery. These procedures are critical in helping patients return to their daily lives and activities with confidence and comfort. Some common types of reconstructive surgery for head and neck cancer include:
This involves taking tissue, such as skin, muscle, or bone, from another part of the body and using it to reconstruct the affected area. The tissue is usually taken from the abdomen, back, or thigh and then carefully reconnected to the blood vessels in the head and neck.
This involves using tissue from the surrounding area to reconstruct the affected area. The tissue is usually moved from a nearby site, such as the cheek or neck, and then carefully repositioned to cover the affected area.
This involves using bone grafts to reconstruct the affected area, such as the jaw or cheekbone, which may have been removed during cancer treatment.
This involves using prosthetic devices, such as dental implants or facial prosthetics, to restore function and appearance to the affected area.
This involves using specialised techniques to transplant tissue from one part of the body to another, with the help of microscopes and specialised surgical instruments. This type of surgery is often used in complex cases with extensive tissue loss.
After colon cancer treatment, reconstructive surgery may be necessary to restore function and appearance. Reconstructive surgery can help patients regain their quality of life after colon cancer treatment. It's important to discuss options and expectations with your doctor. The following are the different types of reconstructive surgery recommended after colon cancer surgery:
This procedure reconnects the colon to the rectum to facilitate bowel movements.
This procedure creates a new opening in the abdominal wall if the rectum is not functioning properly.
This procedure removes the diseased portion of the colon and reconnects the healthy parts.
This procedure uses tissue from a different body part to rebuild the affected area.
Reconstructive surgery after bladder cancer surgery becomes necessary to restore the function and appearance of the bladder and surrounding areas. Here are some of the different types of reconstructive surgery that may be performed after bladder cancer surgery:
This procedure creates a new way for urine to exit the body by creating a new bladder from a segment of the intestine or using a pouch made of synthetic material.
This procedure reconstructs the bladder using tissue from another part of the body to restore its function and reduce the risk of complications.
This procedure involves using tissue from another body part to reconstruct the urethra and restore urinary function.
This procedure involves restoring the appearance and function of the penis through surgery if it has been damaged during bladder cancer surgery.
This procedure restores the appearance and function of the vaginal area through surgery for women who have undergone bladder cancer surgery.
By opting for reconstructive surgery, the patient would witness great improvement both physically and mentally. Reconstructive surgery benefits patients by: