Direct to Implant Reconstruction

Breast conservation (partial mastectomy and breast irradiation) remains the preferred locoregional treatment for many women with early-stage breast cancer. In preserving a large part of the native breast, breast conservation theoretically avoids the psychological burden of mastectomy. However, studies have shown that 20%-30% of women undergoing breast conservation therapy are dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome. Asymmetry of the nipple-areolar complex, as well as discrepancies in volume and shape are undesired, yet common, outcomes for many women who have undergone breast conservation therapy.

In order to address the untoward results of breast conservation, plastic surgeons developed oncoplastic breast reconstructive techniques. These techniques utilize reduction mammoplasty and mastopexy principles to reshape the breast following partial mastectomy. In addition, regional tissues such as the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap or the muscle-sparing thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap can be utilized to recruit larger volumes of non-radiated tissue when necessary.