IMMEDIATE BREAST RECONSTRUCTION FOLLOWING MASTECTOMY FOR LOCAL RECURRENCE OF INVASIVE BREAST-CANCER AFTER CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT

The authors report their experience with immediate breast reconstructi on following salvage mastectomy for local recurrence of invasive breas t cancer after conservative treatment. From January 1987 to December 1 992, among 91 immediate breast reconstructions, 41 were performed for this indication. The results and complications were analyzed for each of the three techniques used : simple prosthesis (n = 5), latissimus d orsi flap with prosthesis (n = 26), trans abdominalis musculocutaneous flap - TRAM flap (n = 10). Immediate flap reconstruction appears to b e required in cases of either early or late local relapse since the sk in has been irradiated and the mastectomy must be extensive. The trans rectus abdominalis flap allows more extensive resection and gives bett er cosmetic results without the need for a prosthesis.