The Next Thing In Breast Surgery

A certain review in the October issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery from ASPS (American Society Of Plastic Surgeons) revealed something interesting. Breast cancer patients who have undergone radiation therapy right after mastectomy develop some problems on breast implants for reconstruction. However, according to experts, and to name one, Dr. Steven J. Kronowitz of the University of Texas, women should be aware of these risks but these types of procedures end in success in most of the cases.

To decrease the risk of the re-occurrence of breast cancer, a lot of patients undergo radiation therapy right after the removal of their breasts. The problem is that these radiations have toxic effects on cells which make it hard of them to heal. However, there are plastic surgeons who believe that post radiation breast reconstruction can be good if the patient’s tissue is used. This is called autologous tissue surgery. Others still believe that breast implants are still the most preferred option. That’s what the review was all about, to check for evidences on the use of implants post radiation therapy.

Dr. Kronowitz has discovered cited about 19 studies with different quality which evaluates the results of implant-based reconstruction in patients receiving post-mastectomy radiation therapy. One of his quotes from the review, "In general, radiation increases the risk of complications and poor aesthetic outcomes of implant-based reconstruction."

One of the biggest studies performed resulted to about 45% of women having implants with radiation therapy versus 24% in patients not exposed to radiation. Complications were very common when radiation was given before in comparison to after giving implant reconstructions. The figures were 64 versus 58 percent.

"Despite advances in reconstructive devices and materials, PMRT still appears to have an adverse impact on outcomes of implant-based breast reconstruction," says Kronowitz "However," he adds," the majority of patients who undergo implant-based reconstruction and PMRT ultimately keep the implant-based reconstruction."

Procedures like the autologous tissue reconstruction along with other new methods are very much promising results with regards to implant-based reconstruction after radiation therapy for breast cancer. For this Dr. Kronowitz believes that for now “patients who will receive or have received radiation should be advised of the risks of implant-based breast reconstruction."

The continuous studies regarding this matter prove that experts really look for the best ways to give better services to people. All we have to do is to wait for the next big thing in plastic surgery.