[Breast reconstruction using skin expansion after radiotherapy: limitations of the procedure. Apropos of 10 cases].

The incidence of failure, be it partial or possibly total, in breast reconstruction after amputation and radiotherapy, appears to be too high in the author's experience. The analysis of ten of such cases focuses attention on what was really done concerning X-ray therapy. It is no longer acceptable to rely on a dose limit on of 50 GY for, expressed in this way, it is not sufficiently accurate. Attention is drawn to the need for a better knowledge of what has really been done before attempting breast reconstruction using temporary expansion.