The result of breast reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer in 109 patients.

One hundred and eleven breast reconstructions after a mastectomy for carcinoma in 109 patients are reported. Depending on the quality of muscle and skin coverage, reconstructions were performed either with a latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap or a subpectoral prosthesis (including expander prosthesis). The follow-up involved 90 patients. The purely aesthetic results as well as the very positive result of reconstruction with regard to appearance in clothing, participation in sports, and self-esteem were of great importance to the patients. The difference in ptosis, the most obvious shortcoming in our reconstructions, is discussed. Attention is given to the importance of flap planning and the restoration of the anterior axillary fold in the latissimus dorsi flap reconstructions. The disappointing results of tissue expansion and the shortcomings of the nipple-areola reconstructions are discussed.