Delayed breast reconstruction

Breast reconstruction has become an integral part of breast cancertreatment. It is usually performed late after mammectomy but immediatereconstruction has recently gained a larger place.The means and techniques used depend on the quantity and qualityof tissues available: It is necessary to supply a healthy surface,restore the missing volume and reconstruct an areola and a nipple.However breast reconstruction is not solely directed to the missingbreast: one has also to ensure symmetry with the other breast, whichcalls on all the resources of plastic surgery.This fascinating but difficult surgery, poses problems in its trainingand education, for it requires oncologic and plastic skills. Moreover,the possibilities and limits of the surgical procedures proposed mustbe explained clearly and with humanity to the patient, who is alreadysufficiently afflicted by the illness and the previous treatmentsundergone. Her hope in the reconstruction allows her to facethe outside world and to live as normal a life as possible.She deserves the best of our experience so as not to disappoint her,either on the technical or human point of view.