Modified Radical Mastectomy withImmediate Reconstruction forCarcinoma oftheBreast

Fifty patients undergoing immediate reconstruction ofthe breast following modified radical mastectomy forcarcinoma werecharacterized bytheir clinical findings andthepathologic features oftheir tumors. Evidence ofnipple-areolar involvementbytumorwasnoted infive patients. Thishigh incidence mitigates against nipple- areolar transplantation. Intenpatients thebreast contained multifocal tumororintraductal carcinoma awayfromtheprimary tumor, thusemphasizing the importance ofcareful evaluation ofthetotal tissue specimens. Fourpatients havehadrecurrence oftumor. Thedetection of therecurrence wasnothindered bythepresence oftheprosthesis. Inthese fourpatients immediate reconstruction ofthe breast didnotappear toadversely affect thenatural history of thebreast cancer. We suggest thatwhenappropriate and thorough surgical extirpation followed byreconstruction is undertaken asateameffort amongthegeneral andplastic surgeons, pathologist andclinical psychologist, theoptimal clinical andcosmetic results may beachieved. However, conclusive statements regarding thelong-term implications of immediate reconstruction awaits additional follow-up. T CONCEPTOF RECONSTRUCTION ofthebreast