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Delayed Reconstruction
Questions about Delayed Breast Reconstruction.
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AskedPublicly Submitted Question
10/31/2008Hi, Lille, you are an angel to us on this journey. Just wanted to ask you if reconstruction would ever be in my future if I have stable disease, am stage IIIC or IV, mets confined to mediastinal, which at this point have cleared. I would love to put myself back together again. Thanks for everything
RepliedJHU's Breast Center Reply
10/31/2008The general rule would be to not attempt reconstruction given the location of the nodes... I have seen some women though pursue it and get someone to rebuild them though. it would be a controversial thing to do. remember that radiation and implants don't work well together... so flap surgery would be the option. there is a vessel in the inner portion of the chest near these mediastinal nodes that would need to be used to connect the deep inferior epigastric perforator vessel if you were to seek doing DIEP flap reconstruction. TRAM flap may be considered instead but it increases risk of hernia and bulging, and the area again being operated one would be very close to where disease was previously found. that may make a plastic surgeon skiddish about embarking on trying it. so for now, look at your breast prosthesis as your bosom buddy. give her a name. she deserves it. she has been on an incredible journey with you. LS

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