Breast reconstruction with submuscular prosthesis after modified radical or simple mastectomy. Surgical technique and early complications.

A series of 100 women who underwent breast reconstruction is reviewed. They had previously been treated for breast cancer with modified radical or simple mastectomy. The technique and early results of reconstruction are presented. The same surgeon performed all these operations and the technique was not varied. Emotional need for reconstruction was the main factor in patient selection. The interval between mastectomy and reconstruction was as a rule at least one year after removal of stage I cancer and 2-5 years in stage II cases. Scar correction was required significantly more often after oblique than after horizontal mastectomy incision. A submuscular pocket was created to accommodate the prosthesis and a muscle and fascia flap was used to add tissue and contour. No major early complications occurred. The submuscular implantation of prosthesis facilitated clinical follow-up. In a background population of breast cancer patients, the overall frequency of breast reconstruction was 4%. The figure for premenopausal patients with stage I breast cancer treated with modified radical mastectomy was 18%.