(ANSA) – ROME, OCTOBER 25 – Breast reconstruction without prosthesis using the patient’s own tissues, Italy remains behind other countries, in fact after breast cancer only one woman in 10 uses it, even if the technique offers numerous advantages compared to prosthetics; There are still very few Italian breast centers that offer it to a woman treated for breast cancer, above all because in most centers and Breast Units there is no specialist in this type of more natural reconstruction, Benedetto Longo, Associate, explains to ANSA. of the Chair and School of Specialization in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery and of the Master in Morphodynamic Surgery of the Nose and Facial Rejuvenation of the University of Rome ‘Tor Vergata’.
“In the month dedicated to raising awareness of breast cancer – underlines the expert – it is important to inform women of this possibility which is very often not offered during reconstruction and which leads around 80% of women to ‘opt’ for breast cancer prosthetics”.
Reconstruction with one’s own tissues, explains the expert, can be done essentially in two ways: either with the transplant of adipose tissue (lipofilling) or by taking tissues, generally from the abdomen, and transplanting them to the site where the tumor, with microsurgical techniques. This type of reconstruction is especially indicated in women after radiotherapy and very radical mastectomies. “The most obvious advantages are that the autologous tissues give the patient a definitive reconstruction with a very natural appearance – he explains; the autologous tissues mimic the mammary gland well and if the patient gains or loses weight the breast follows the changes in weight like a normal breast , an advantage that is even more evident in the case of unilateral reconstruction since the difference with the other breast is greatly reduced.
These techniques, which allow a definitive reconstruction, concludes the expert, are practiced in at least double the number of patients in other countries. It is important that this possibility is extended to more women in Italy too, evaluating case by case with personalized choices. (HANDLE).