Purpose: Immediate breast reconstruction following ablative surgery for breast cancer is gaining more acceptance in terms of safety, reliability, and advantages nowadays. The purpose of this article is to address the major benefits of immediate
breast
reconstruction following a mastectomy, to introduce our team management protocol for breast cancer, and finally to improve the quality of life for this unfortunate group of cancer patients. Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients underwent a
mastectomy
with immediate breast reconstruction by general surgeons and plastic surgeons at Seoul National University Hospital between 1995 and 1999. Results: The mean age of these patients was 39.3 years, and the majority of patients had infiltrating
ductal
cancer and received a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery. The operative methods for the breast reconstructions were a breast implant in one case, a tissue expander in 6, and a free transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous (TRAM) flap in 8. A
bilateral free TRAM flap was used in one case among the eight. Despite some minor complications, such as hematomas, fat necrosis and partial necrosis of the TRAM flap, the general outcomes were satisfactory. Close association of the two kinds
surgeons
allowed selection of candidates, surgical planning for the mastectomy and a decision on the reconstructive method to be used. Conclusion: Immediate breast reconstruction allowed the patients to undergo the proper oncologic treatment, to avoid the
stress
of breast loss, and to be satisfied with the aesthetic result of the reconstruction.
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