Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction Sought by Independent Women
According to a recent article in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, an increasing number of breast cancer patients are independently seeking microsurgical breast reconstruction.
Doctors surveyed over 300 women who had breast reconstruction performed at a single institution. Information was gathered about their age and demographic, but more importantly – their referral patterns and decision-making processes.
The authors concluded that patients who sought microsurgical breast reconstruction were:
- Independent decision-makers in their health care choices
- Likely to use the internet to learn about breast reconstruction
- More likely to self-refer to a reconstructive surgeon
What is Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction?
Authors of the study identified these procedures as part of the “highly sought after” group: Free TRAM flap, DIEP Flap, SIEA Flap and SGAP Flap. The key difference with these breast reconstruction procedures is the surgical reconnection of blood vessels from the donor site to the reconstructive site.