Tissue Repair

Breast reconstruction following mastectomy for treatment of cancer is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. Breast reconstruction is a plastic surgery procedure in which the shape of the breast is rebuilt. The number of these reconstructive procedures represents less than 30% of plastic surgery breast augmentation procedures. Breast reconstruction is typically performed after mastectomy, although not all mastectomy patients elect to have reconstructive surgery. Elderly patients are not only less likely to opt for breast reconstruction surgery, but are less likely to proceed with a mastectomy following breast cancer diagnosis. The incidence of breast cancer has been increasing in women under the age of 40, and this population is much more likely not only to proceed with mastectomy, but to follow up with a breast reconstruction procedure. Over 130,000 mastectomies were performed in the U.S. in 2016, and of these, over 70% of patients elected for breast reconstruction surgery. This percentage was significantly higher in the U.S. compared with other countries. Therefore, in the United States, the number of breast reconstruction procedures is highly correlated with the number of mastectomies performed. The Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act (WHCRA), established in 1998, ensures full reimbursement for most procedures done on women with breast cancer who elect to have their breasts rebuilt following mastectomy. The procedure is extremely involved and is done in an inpatient setting. Breast reconstructions have started to be conducted immediately after the mastectomy procedure to reduce recovery time.