Breast Reconstruction: Scarless Latissimus

One advantage to this procedure is that it eliminates the need to turn the patient and may shorten surgery time by up to one hour resulting in less time under general anesthesia. In addition, recovery time is shorter often allowing patients to go home as much as a day and a half earlier. The procedure also reduces the risk of fluid buildup under the back wound, known as a seroma.

The scarless procedure is a safe and versatile treatment following a mastectomy and may be helpful for women who are undergoing preventative mastectomy to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

As with any surgery, there are some risks. There is the rare possibility that the tissue moved from your back to your breast might not get enough circulation. This can cause some or all of the tissue to die, a condition known as “necrosis.” In that case, the surgeon may later need to remove some or all of tissue.

There is also the possibility that if the blood supply to the fat used to rebuild the breast is cut off, the fat will be replaced by scar tissue. This can cause lumps known as “fat necrosis.” Your surgeon can remove them if they do not go away.

Since some of the muscle in the back is used for the breast reconstruction, you may experience some weakness in your back, shoulder or arm strength. A physical therapist can help with exercises to strengthen the muscle.

Fluid buildup, known as seroma, can also occur but will usually disappear as the body heals.

Typically, it takes 4-6 weeks to fully recover from this procedure and resume normal activities.