Pros and cons of different types of breast reconstruction
| Reconstruction type |
Pros |
Cons |
|
Breast implants
|
- Less surgery and shorter recovery time compared with tissue flap breast reconstructions
|
- Less natural look, feel and movement than tissue flap breast reconstructions
- Reconstructed breast sits higher on the chest than a natural breast
- Does not move like a natural breast (e.g. when lying down)
- Does not change in size with weight gain or loss
- Does not ‘age’ with other areas of the body
- Higher risk of side effects and complications
|
|
LD flap
|
- More natural look, feel and movement compared with implants only
- Some change in size with weight gain or loss
- ‘Ages’ more naturally than implants only
|
- Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
- More than one scar
- Not as much of a change in size with weight gain or loss, compared with TRAM or DIEP flap
- May affect movement of muscles in the back and arm
|
|
TRAM flap
|
- TRAM and DIEP have the most natural look and feel
- Usually suitable for women with larger breasts
- Changes in size with weight gain or loss
- ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body
|
- Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
- More than one scar
- Possible weakness of abdominal muscles, with increased risk of hernia
|
|
DIEP flap
|
- TRAM and DIEP have the most natural look, feel and movement
- Usually suitable for women with larger breasts
- ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body
- Less affect on the abdominal muscles compared with TRAM
|
- Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
- More complex surgery than TRAM
- More than one scar
|
|
Other tissue flaps
|
- More natural look, feel and movement than implants
- ‘Ages’ naturally with other areas of the body
|
- Longer surgery and recovery time compared with implants
- More than one scar
- Fewer breast reconstruction surgeons do these procedures
|
updated: 20 October 2020 - 3:32pm
