OBJECTIVETo investigate and clarify the indications of breast reconstruction after mastectomy with various methods.

METHODSA clinical analysis was made, based on 44 patients with the 45 breasts who had received breast reconstruction after mastectomy in our hospital from 2003 to 2005. The methods of breast reconstruction included in tissue expander/implant (5 cases), implants covered by latissimus dorsi flap (13 cases), latissimus dorsi flap along (3 cases), DIEP flap (6 cases), TRAN flap (10 cases) and solid double-pedicle TRAM flap (8 cases).

RESULTSAll of the flaps survived well in total 40 patients (40 breasts) who were used a flap for breast reconstruction. Superficial skin necrosis occurred in 1 case with the method of tissue expander/implant; rupture of breast prosthesis and infection occurred in 1 case with the technique of implant with a latissimus dorsi flap; subcutaneous seroma occurred in 1 case with the method of DIEP flap; partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 cases with the method of TRAM flap. By the follow-ups of 3 - 12 months, the reconstructed breasts were well-shaped and there were no complications such as abdominal hernia.

CONCLUSIONSThese 6 methods for breast reconstruction achieved the satisfactory results for the requirement of breast reconstruction in Chinese women. With the development of plastic surgery technique, the indications of breast reconstruction were enlarged.