Highlights<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n
• A reliable technique, even in patients who have undergone radiotherapy<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Can be combined with fat grafting (lipofilling) or an implant for optimal volume<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Produces a discreet scar hidden beneath the bra strap<\/li>\n\n\n\n
• Covered by French health insurance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

  Overview: What is Back Flap Reconstruction?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

  A mastectomy<\/strong> (also called a mammectomy) involves the complete removal of the mammary gland, a portion of the overlying skin, and the areola-nipple complex. In some cases of breast cancer, this remains a necessary step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  Breast reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap<\/strong> utilizes a strip of skin and muscle from the upper back, transferred to the chest to recreate breast volume. This reconstruction is commonly combined with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  \n
  • A breast implant<\/strong> for added volume<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Or fat grafting<\/strong> (lipofilling) for a more natural contour<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    This technique offers predictable results<\/strong>, especially for patients who have undergone radiation therapy<\/strong>, which may limit other reconstruction options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Principles of Latissimus Dorsi Flap Reconstruction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    The latissimus dorsi<\/strong> is a thin, broad muscle on the back that is non-essential for daily function<\/strong>, making it an ideal donor site. The reconstruction process involves:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
    • Reusing the mastectomy scar<\/strong> as an access point (this scar can sometimes be revised but not removed)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Harvesting a spindle-shaped segment of skin and muscle<\/strong> from the back<\/li>\n\n\n\n
    • Transposing this flap to the chest to create the breast mound<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

      In most cases, an implant<\/strong> is placed under the muscle and skin flap to provide sufficient volume.
      Alternatively, in select cases, lipofilling<\/strong> (using fat from the abdomen or thighs) may be used instead of an implant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Procedure Details<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      \n
      • Anesthesia<\/strong>: General anesthesia is required. A pre-anesthesia consultation must be completed at least 48 hours before surgery.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Surgical time<\/strong>: 2 to 3 hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Hospitalization<\/strong>: 3 to 5 days<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • Pre-op instructions<\/strong>:\n
        \n
        • Stop smoking at least one month before and after<\/strong> surgery to avoid complications<\/li>\n\n\n\n
        • Avoid Aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications for 10 days prior<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

          At the end of surgery, a bra-shaped dressing<\/strong> is applied to support healing. The donor site scar<\/strong> is horizontal and typically concealed under the bra line<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Post-Operative Recovery and Management<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          \n
          • Pain management<\/strong> is tailored and provided preventively<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Monitoring<\/strong> of the flap’s vitality (color, temperature, capillary refill) is done regularly<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • Physical therapy<\/strong> is prescribed to help regain full mobility of the shoulder<\/li>\n\n\n\n
          • A 15-day work stoppage<\/strong> is typically needed<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

            Once the breast mound has stabilized, symmetrization of the opposite breast<\/strong> and reconstruction of the nipple-areola complex<\/strong> are performed as follow-up procedures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

            Costs and Reimbursement<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

            \n
            • The procedure is covered by French Social Security<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
            • Additional surgical fees range from \u20ac3,500 to \u20ac4,500<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

              These fees may be partially or fully covered by complementary health insurance<\/strong>, depending on your policy<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

              Highlights Overview: What is Back Flap Reconstruction? A mastectomy (also called a mammectomy) involves the complete removal of the mammary gland, a portion of the overlying skin, and the areola-nipple complex. In some cases of breast cancer, this remains a necessary step. Breast reconstruction using a latissimus dorsi (LD) flap utilizes a strip of skin […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1650,"parent":2197,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/domain-single.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5054","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5054"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5054\/revisions"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2197"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/micheldelpe.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}