| The Breast Reconstruction Unit of the Plastic Surgery Department at Sheba Medical Center performs all the surgical techniques available today:
- Partial or total breast reconstruction (post Lumpectomy or Mastectomy).
- Immediate or delayed reconstruction.
- Unilateral or bilateral breast reconstruction.
- Post skin-sparing mastectomy immediate breast reconstruction.
- Bilateral reconstruction Post-Prophylactic Mastectomy.
The surgical approach is selected in accordance to the patient's esthetic and functional needs.
There are two techniques. The first is reconstruction with silicone implant, anatomical silicone prosthesis, and insertion of skin expander or silicone gel with seline-combined expanders. The other option is surgical reconstruction with autologous tissues (the patient's tissues).
The most advanced techniques of microsurgery are also used for breast reconstruction. For example, we perform Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator (DIEP). In this technique we use skin and fat of the abdominal wall for reconstruction of the breast without damaging the abdominal muscles and the abdominal wall strength. The technique was first performed in Israel at the Sheba Medical Center five years ago. Today, this technique is standard in our department for cases where abdominal skin and fat are available.
When the skin and fat from the abdomen will not suffice or is scarred, the buttock tissue is transferred (Superior gluteus perforator flap - using microsurgical technique). In other cases, we use skin and/or muscle of the back, combined with insertion of silicon prosthesis (Latissimus dorsi flap).
In every breast reconstruction the aim is to achieve maximal breast symmetry. Augmentation, reduction, or mastopexy of the controlateral breast are part of the breast reconstruction.
The outpatient clinic of the breast reconstruction unit is located in the surgical outpatient wing. Personal consultation is given to each woman before and after surgery. |
