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'lizbeth · 11-26-2013, 10:59 AM

Breast Reconstruction After Radiation

by: Brandy Korman
Traditionally general surgeons and oncologists have advocated waiting 6 months or more to have breast reconstruction after radiation treatment. I’m sure that those of you have needed radiation in the past have been told this, and even now, some surgeons and oncologists are still recommending waiting this long.
So it may come as a surprise that the surgeons at PRMA, in most cases, are only recommending waiting 4-8 weeks.
To get the scoop, I chatted with one of our surgeons, Dr. Steven Pisano who had this to say:
“We’ve found that performing flap reconstruction sooner rather than later is actually better for the patient. Doing reconstruction sooner improves the environment of the chest wall by allowing for increased blood flow, in turn creating a healthier breast.
With radiation, the patient’s skin and soft tissues are ultimately damaged. The longer the patient waits to have reconstruction, the longer the effects of radiation have to settle in and wreak havoc on the skin, tissue and surrounding areas.
Performing a flap procedure like the DIEP, LAT or GAP flap allows us to remove that radiated skin and tissue and replace it with healthy skin and tissue from another part of the body.”
Implant procedures, however, are not recommended at all for patients undergoing radiation treatment. If you’re a patient potentially needing radiation treatment, Dr. Pisano recommends a flap procedure if you are a candidate for one.
"We avoid implant reconstructions in the setting of radiation, due to the increased potential for short and long-term problems such as infection, wound healing problems, capsular contracture and poor aesthetic outcomes."
For more information on breast reconstruction after radiation, call 800.692.5565 or email patientadvocate@prmaplasticsurgery.com.

11-26-2013, 10:59 AM	#1
'lizbeth Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Sunny San Diego Posts: 2,214	Breast Reconstruction After Radiation Breast Reconstruction After Radiation by: Brandy Korman Traditionally general surgeons and oncologists have advocated waiting 6 months or more to have breast reconstruction after radiation treatment. I’m sure that those of you have needed radiation in the past have been told this, and even now, some surgeons and oncologists are still recommending waiting this long. So it may come as a surprise that the surgeons at PRMA, in most cases, are only recommending waiting 4-8 weeks. To get the scoop, I chatted with one of our surgeons, Dr. Steven Pisano who had this to say: “We’ve found that performing flap reconstruction sooner rather than later is actually better for the patient. Doing reconstruction sooner improves the environment of the chest wall by allowing for increased blood flow, in turn creating a healthier breast. With radiation, the patient’s skin and soft tissues are ultimately damaged. The longer the patient waits to have reconstruction, the longer the effects of radiation have to settle in and wreak havoc on the skin, tissue and surrounding areas. Performing a flap procedure like the DIEP, LAT or GAP flap allows us to remove that radiated skin and tissue and replace it with healthy skin and tissue from another part of the body.” Implant procedures, however, are not recommended at all for patients undergoing radiation treatment. If you’re a patient potentially needing radiation treatment, Dr. Pisano recommends a flap procedure if you are a candidate for one. "We avoid implant reconstructions in the setting of radiation, due to the increased potential for short and long-term problems such as infection, wound healing problems, capsular contracture and poor aesthetic outcomes." For more information on breast reconstruction after radiation, call 800.692.5565 or email patientadvocate@prmaplasticsurgery.com.