NewsRx.com
October 1, 2009
According to a recently published report by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) there was a 39% increase in breast reconstruction procedures in 2008 over 2007, yet a staggering 70% of breast cancer patients who are eligible for the procedure are not informed of the reconstructive options available to them.
Dr. Frank DellaCroce, FACS and Dr. Scott Sullivan, FACS, of the St. Charles Surgical Hospital, the only hospital in the world dedicated to breast reconstruction for women facing cancer, have seen first-hand the pain and fear on the faces of women who must make one of the most difficult decisions of their lives. "Many doctors do not tell their patients about the full spectrum of options simply because they may not be familiar with them," states Dr. Sullivan. "Immediate reconstruction is one of the most gratifying options for women, as they don't ever face the disfiguring mastectomy scar. When they wake up from surgery they have a new and often improved breast, and most importantly they maintain their sense of wholeness." Immediate reconstruction is done at the same time as mastectomy. Another advantage to having immediate reconstruction is that the chest tissues are undamaged by radiation therapy or scarring. This often means that the final result looks better. Also, immediate reconstruction means one less surgery. Doctors DellaCroce and Sullivan are the first Plastic Surgeons in the world to report a 100% success rate with immediate reconstruction, as published in the February 2008 issue of Annals of Surgical Oncology.
Doctors DellaCroce and Sullivan are international leaders in all breast cancer surgery options including state-of-the-art techniques, such as; DIEP, SIEA and GAP flap procedures that allow for breast reconstruction without sacrifice of important functional muscles. Having performed more than 3000 breast reconstruction surgeries for women facing breast cancer, far more than any other physicians worldwide, they have pioneered many of the revolutionary procedures at the Center for Restorative Breast Surgery including the ground-breaking immediate reconstruction option--the Nipple Sparing Mastectomy.
The ASPS now advocates "a full team of physicians" approach, with the general surgeon working with the plastic surgeon. "Doctors need to put the choice back into the hands of the patient, allowing her to choose which, if any, reconstruction is right for her," states Dr. DellaCroce. "Every woman facing this devastating decision needs to know all of her options in order to make the best decision for herself. Ideally she should consult with a plastic surgeon with expertise in this particular area of the specialty prior to starting any treatment plan."
Patients come from all over the world to see these surgeons because their techniques are changing the outcomes for women who are dealing with mastectomy and breast cancer. They are not only dedicated to healing their patients physically, but also making them feel whole again. "As a surgeon, I am proud of the results we are able to provide our patients," states Dr. Sullivan. "But the sincere reactions and pure satisfaction expressed by the women who have undergone the surgery speaks volumes about the difference it can make in a woman's personal life."
Copyright 2009, MD Week via NewsRx.com
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