Advances and current concepts in reconstructive surgery for breast cancer

Abstract

In this article, we report on recent advancements in reconstructive care of the breast cancer patient. New developments in sensate breast reconstruction to help address the problem of numbness after mastectomy have emerged and show promise. Methods to restore lymphatic physiologic flow after axillary lymphadenectomy using supermicrosurgical techniques have begun to show benefit by reducing the short-term incidence of breast cancer related lymphedema (BRCL). Breast implant safety has received significant recent attention and we explore the emergence of BIA-ALCL (Breast Implant Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma) and its implications for the breast cancer patient and their multidisciplinary care team.

Keywords: ALCL; Anaplastic large cell lymphoma; Breast neurotization; Immediate lymphatic reconstruction; LYMPHA; Lymphaticovenous bypass; Mastectomy; Reconstruction; Sensate reconstruction.