Product Description

Breast cancer is unfortunately a common disease affecting millions of women, often at a relatively young age. Reconstruction following mastectomy offers women an opportunity to mollify some of the emotional and aesthetic effects of this devastating disease. Although varying techniques of alloplastic and autologous techniques are available, all strive to achieve the same goal: the satisfactory reformation of a breast mound that appears as natural as possible without clothing and at the very least is normal in appearance under clothing. This article summarizes the various approaches to breast reconstruction and offers a balanced view of the risks and benefits of each, all of which in the end offer the opportunity for excellent and predictable results with a high degree of patient satisfaction.

Learning Objectives

After viewing this course, the participant should be able to:

1. Describe the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of reconstruction in breast cancer patients.
2. Compare the most common techniques of reconstruction in patients and detail benefits and risks associated with each.
3. Outline different methods of reconstruction and identify the method considered best for the patient based on timing of the procedures, body type, adjuvant therapies, and other coexisting conditions.
4. Distinguish between some of the different flaps that can be considered for autologous reconstruction.

Faculty

Joseph M. Serletti, MD; Joshua Fosnot, MD; Jonas A. Nelson, MD; Joseph J. Disa, MD; Louis P. Bucky, MD

Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery® Editors:

Editor-in-Chief: Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Co-Editor: James M. Stuzin, MD

Section Editor: Donald H. Lalonde, MD

Accreditation Information

Patient Safety Credit: 0.5

Media: Journal Article, Video

Publish Date: 6/1/2011

Estimated time to complete this course: 1.0 hour

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons^® (ASPS^®)

Accreditation Statement

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Designation Statement

The ASPS designates this enduring material for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Intended Audience

This educational activity is intended for plastic surgery practitioners, residents, and other healthcare professionals interested in translating expanded knowledge into practice for the improvement of patient outcomes in plastic and reconstructive surgery.

Disclosures

Dr. Rohrich, MD is the Principal/Co-Principal Investigator of research grants awarded to the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, from Medicis, Mentor, and Contura Pharmaceutical. All research funds are provided directly to UT Southwestern. Dr. Stuzin has no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose. Dr. Lalonde is a consultant for ASSI Instruments. The author does not have relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose. All ASPS staff members managing this activity have no relevant financial relationships or affiliations to disclose. All identified conflicts of interest have been resolved and the educational content thoroughly vetted by ASPS for fair balance, scientific objectivity, and appropriateness of patient care recommendations. The ASPS also requires faculty/authors to disclose when off-label/unapproved uses of a product are discussed in a CME activity or included in related materials.

Product Code: 16292