Breast reconstruction after mastectomy.

Recreation of normal breast anatomy and restoration of female body image after mastectomy for cancer are the goals of the reconstructive surgeon. Several recently refined techniques in plastic and reconstructive surgery have made the task of reforming the female breast easier while producing more predictable results. A blending of ideas has begun between the general surgeon performing the mastectomy and the plastic surgeon reconstructing the breast. Breast reconstruction in selection patients has become an accepted part of rehabilitation. It is the purpose of this paper to address the problems of breast cancer and patient selection for reconstruction and to outline the surgical techniques.