Reconstruction of the breast: where do we fall short? An evolution of ideas.

We have analyzed our 5 year experience with 153 breast reconstructions. There were 83 latissimus dorsi reconstructions, 16 simple silicone implant insertions, 21 transverse rectus abdominus myocutaneous flaps, and 33 reconstructions using a variety of other methods. The rate of postoperative complications was 24 percent. The most common shortcoming was the inability to obtain symmetry with the other breast. Persistent problems included inability to fill the subclavicular hollow or the superior con-cavity due to partial atrophy of the pectoralis major muscle, and particularly, the lack of projection and ptosis in the reconstructed breast.