Breast reconstruction using tissue expanders: assessing patients' needs utilizing a holistic approach.

Breast cancer is the most common diagnosed cancer in women. One out of 8 women is diagnosed with this disease (). Today many women are candidates for breast reconstruction and opt for reconstructive surgery at the time of mastectomy. Plastic surgical nurses provide a vital link in assessing and assisting patients to acquire and assimilate the necessary information required to make informed decisions regarding reconstruction. Although there are a variety of options in breast reconstruction, the purpose of this article is to discuss tissue expansion after mastectomy for breast restoration. The article identifies the needs women may have both preoperatively and postoperatively. Orem's self-care theory model is used to describe roles nurses may assume to assist patients in decision making and performance of self-care activities during the reconstructive process.