The Evolution of Breast Reconstruction: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

Plastic surgeons have been performing operations to improve the aesthetic aspect of the breast for centuries. Throughout ancient times, great controversy produced many theories of how breast cancer occurred and the best treatment. Because of beliefs that closure of mastectomy sites could conceal tumor recurrence, breast reconstruction did not gain wide acceptance until the mid-1900s. Today, plastic surgeons have a variety of techniques to reconstruct the breast. The first autologous muscle flap for breast reconstruction was the latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap, described in 1896 by Iginio Tansini. The introduction of Carl Hartrampf's transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap and Robert J. Allen's deep inferior epigastric perforator flap have also provided excellent reconstructive options. With regard to augmentation, Vincenz Czerny attempted to enhance a woman's breast in 1895 with implantation of a lumbar lipoma. Soon after, surgeons used paraffin injections and polyvinylic alcohol sponge implantation, which yielded disastrous results. In 1961, Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow promoted the first silicone implant, paving the way for today's silicone and saline prototypes. Although reduction mammaplasty techniques had originated centuries earlier than mastopexy methods, the advancements of both have largely paralleled one another. In 1949, the Wise pattern was introduced to preoperatively plan safer and predictable outcomes in breast reductions. Efforts to minimize scars were achieved with Claude Lassus' introduction and Madeleine Lejour's subsequent modification of the vertical scar mammaplasty. In hopes of fostering an understanding of current post-mastectomy procedures and instilling passion for innovating future techniques, we provide a near-complete, surgically focused historical account of the primary contributors to breast reconstruction.

Does post-mastectomy radiotherapy affect the outcome and prevalence of complications in immediate DIEP breast reconstruction? A prospective cohort study

“…13 The historical era of BRCA surgery was associated with significant psychosocial morbidity and poor aesthetic results. 14,15 There has since been a paradigm shift towards emphasis on the quality of life, highlighting the importance of aesthetic outcome and benefits of immediate breast reconstruction (IBR). 16e18 The advantages of IBR include superior cosmesis, improved post-operative recovery, and a single operation.…”

CT appearance of common cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures and their complications

“…12 It was "rediscovered" in the late 1970s when Bostwick popularized the latissimus dorsi flap plus an implant as a breast reconstruction technique. 4 Latissimus dorsi flaps have the advantage of reliable vascularity, proximity to the defect, and relative simplicity of dissection.…”

Qualidade de vida e a cirurgia em cancro da mama: revisão narrativa da literatura

“…Patey introduziu a cirurgia associada à exérese do peitoral menor, enquanto Madden desenvolveu a técnica que preserva ambos os peitorais. Com a introdução destas novas técnicas os médicos começaram a comparar e avaliar os resultados entre a mastectomia radical e os procedimentos mais conservadores (Champaneria, Wong, Hill, & Gupta, 2012;Cotlar, Dubose, & Rose, 2003).…”