Breast reconstruction: progress in the past decade.

There have been numerous advances in breast reconstruction techniques of the past decade. The disappearance of the radical mastectomy along with the increased frequency of smaller tumor detection have contributed significantly to these changes. Furthermore, reliable studies have shown that breast reconstruction does not interfere with extirpative surgery or delay postoperative adjuvant therapy if indicated. Studies such as these have led increasing numbers of women to elect immediate breast reconstruction as opposed to delaying that reconstruction for months or even years after the tumor extirpation. The advent of successful breast reconstruction using autogenous tissue provided the most radical change to reconstructive techniques over the past 10 years. The TRAM (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous) flap was the first of these techniques to be introduced and has rapidly assumed a position of prominence among those techniques chosen for breast reconstruction. The LTTF (lateral transverse thigh flap) and the buttock flap, while requiring microsurgical technique, are important alternatives for those patients who choose autogenous tissue breast reconstruction and should be presented to women during the discussion of alternatives for breast reconstruction. Implant technology has continued to improve with the introduction of the tissue expander, the most important addition in the past decade. Investigations are currently underway to provide a long-term tissue expander that does not have to be removed and replaced by a permanent implant. The ultimate end result would be to create a more normal breast shape without firmness. And the use of stacked or directional expanders may allow more freedom in creation of the new breast shape to conform to the opposite side. Finally, nipple areola reconstruction has improved significantly as the tissues of the breast mound itself are used for the new nipple and areola, thereby avoiding the transfer of grafts from distant sites which do not generally maintain their size or projection over time.