[Individual Needs of the Patient in Breast Reconstruction - Are There Limits to Plastic Surgery?]

Abstract

Introduction: The breast is essential to a woman's physical integrity. There are numerous techniques for breast reconstruction, so that the needs and limitations of each patient can be respected. The individual preferences of the patient play an important role in the decision of silicone implants vs. autologous tissue, size, and shape of the breast as well as the timing of the surgery. The only reasons not to perform a reconstruction are a locally incompletely removed tumor or the explicit wish of the patient against reconstruction. The costs for reconstruction are covered by the health insurance for all procedures, including symmetrizing the opposite breast, nipple reconstruction and autologous fat grafting.