Latissimus Flap Breast Reconstruction Pensacola
| Typical Timing/Age | Overall health is more important than age.Most (not all) women with breast cancer, at high risk for breast cancer or a history of breast cancer are safe candidates for the procedure. |
| Problem | Absent breast(s) after mastectomy Deformed breast(s) after lumpectomy Deformed breast(s) after radiation Deformed breast(s) after another type of reconstruction |
| Procedure | Skin, fat and muscle from your back are transferred to your chest to reconstruct your breast(s).The transferred skin and fat is kept alive by leaving it attached to an artery and vein in your armpit. The tissue is then “swung” around to your chest, never being fully disconnected from the body (that is why it is called a “pedicled” flap). The transferred back skin, fat and muscle is then used to cover a breast implant since in most cases there is not enough tissue to provide adequate volume to reconstruct a breast without an implant. |
| Goal | To reconstruct breast(s) |
| Facility | Hospital |
| Preparation | Patientscannot be using any nicotine containing substances. Eat lots of protein. |
| Anesthesia | Generalanesthesia |
| Recovery | |
| Hospital stay | 2-3 days on a regular inpatient floor. |
| Positioning | You will need to keep pressure off your chest and side: so no sleeping on your side or stomach for ~1 month. |
| Assistance | You will need someone to help take care of you after surgery as you will not be able to lift children, heavy items, etc. |
| Walking | You are encouraged to walk around as much as possible to help reduce the risk of DVT and thromboembolism. |
| Showering | After 48 hours you should remove your dressings and take a shower. |
| Exercise | 3 weeks for light exercise.4 weeks for regular exercise.6 weeks for arm. |
| Sex | Wait 3 weeks because you don’t want to stress your incisions or increase your blood pressure during the early healing period.No one except you can touch your new breast(s) for 8 weeks. |
| Work | 2-4 weeks depending on your type of work. |
| Swelling | Can persist for 3-6 months. |
| Bruising | Usually subsides after 2-3 weeks |
| Follow-upAppointments | 3-5 days after you leave the hospital.Whenever drains are ready to come out.3 months. |
| Risks & Complications | Partial flap loss.Fat necrosis., Hematoma, Seroma, Infection, Poor scarring, Dehiscence, Delayed wound healing, Skin necrosis, Asymmetry, Numbness, Thromboembolism, Contour irregularities, Need for revision, Complications related to anesthesia.Complications related to the breast implant. |
| Performed by: | Dr. Butler, Dr. Leveque |
