Where Medicine Meets... Artistry
Reconstructive surgery is an essential procedure aimed at restoring both the function and appearance of body areas affected by cancer and its treatment. This type of surgery often involves using the patient's own tissue or custom prosthetics to rebuild structures such as bone, muscle, and skin.
For head and neck cancers, the surgery might include the removal of structures critical for speaking, swallowing, and appearance. The reconstruction process may include transferring bone, muscle, and/or skin, along with their associated blood vessels, to rebuild areas damaged by cancer treatment. When using one's own tissue isn't possible or desired, custom prosthetics created by an anaplastologist, a trained medical artist, may be used. Techniques like microvascular reconstruction, free muscle transfer, free skin transfer, and free bone transfer are employed, depending on the specific needs of the surgical defect.
Reconstructive surgery differs from cosmetic surgery in that it's performed for medical reasons and is usually covered by insurance. It's commonly needed after surgeries that remove cancer, such as mastectomies or procedures for head and neck cancer. The surgery may involve using tissue from one part of the body to repair another area, known as autologous reconstruction, and can include skin, tendon, and bone grafts, local flap surgery, artificial implants, and scar revisions.
Breast reconstruction after breast cancer surgery is another significant area of reconstructive surgery. It involves various surgical techniques to create new breasts after a lumpectomy (which removes cancerous tissue and a small section of nearby healthy tissue) or mastectomy (which removes the entire breast). This procedure is often covered by insurance and can be performed simultaneously with cancer surgery or at a later time. Types of breast reconstruction include skin expansion with implants, direct-to-implant procedures, and flap reconstruction, where a new breast is created using skin, fat, and muscle from another body part.
Deciding on reconstructive surgery involves considering several factors, such as the area needing reconstruction, previous surgeries, personal preferences, additional cancer treatments, and overall health. Recovery times vary based on the type of surgery, and it's crucial to discuss expectations, pain management, and potential lifestyle changes with your healthcare team. Emotional support is also an important aspect of coping with body image and emotional changes post-surgery.
Cancer reconstruction procedures vary depending on the location and extent of the tumor removal. Common types of reconstruction include breast reconstruction following mastectomy, facial reconstruction after head and neck cancer surgery, and limb reconstruction after sarcoma resection.
Cancer reconstruction may be performed immediately following cancer surgery (immediate reconstruction) or delayed until after completion of cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy (delayed reconstruction). The timing of reconstruction depends on factors such as cancer stage, treatment plan, and patient preference.
The goals of cancer reconstruction include restoring natural body contours, preserving or restoring function, improving self-esteem and body image, and enhancing quality of life for cancer survivors.
Like any surgical procedure, cancer reconstruction carries risks such as infection, bleeding, anesthesia complications, and poor wound healing. Specific risks depend on the type of reconstruction and individual patient factors.
Recovery time varies depending on the type and extent of reconstruction, as well as individual healing factors. Patients may experience discomfort, swelling, and limited mobility during the initial recovery period. Full recovery may take weeks to months.