Latissimus dorsi and rectus abdominis breast reconstruction postmastectomy: musculocutaneous breast reconstruction.

The female breast is one of the most important physical expressions of femininity. Removal of this sexual organ can induce severe psychological effects. In our service the final decision for breast reconstruction is always made by the patient. We have done this operation on 115 patients: 43 with the latissimus dorsi technique (LDT) and 72 with the rectus abdominis technique (RAT). At present we prefer the RAT, done simultaneously with mastectomy or delayed, since the breasts obtained with it have in general a very natural and harmonious appearance.