Dr. Tsung-Chun Huang, Plastic & Reconstruction Surgery Division

Miss Chen, a 40-year-old patient, felt lumps in her breast when showering. After a biopsy, she was diagnosed with breast cancer and was transferred to China Medical University Hospital. After the evaluation of the breast surgery doctor, she arranged to have a total mastectomy and sentinel lymph node biopsy. Dr. Tsung-Chun Huang of the Plastic & Reconstruction Surgery Division joined the consultation to assess breast reconstruction after breast surgery. The  Transaxillary Endoscopic Silicone Gel Breast Augmentation surgery makes breast prosthesis more natural for the patient to rebuild her self-confidence.

(Right 2.)Dr. Tsung-Chun Huang

According to Miss Chen, she felt shocked when she was told she had breast cancer. However, she felt more positive when she had the Transaxillary Endoscopic Silicone Gel Breast Augmentation surgery. It has been one month since the surgery and her recovery is going well. Miss Chen feels lucky that the breast cancer was detected and treated early. When diagnosed with breast cancer, the most important thing is to keep positive. According to Dr. Huang, considering that the patient is of medium build and does not have weight problems, loose skin, or extremely sagging of the breasts, the Transaxillary Endoscopic Silicone Gel Breast Augmentation surgery was an appropriate treatment course. The expected surgery results were fully discussed before the operation and the size of the breast prosthesis were assessed in advance. The patient is recovering well. In addition, because the breast was naturally reconstructed, the patient is relieved of worry.

Dr. Tsung-Chun Huang pointed out that after a total mastectomy, the most common reconstruction for the breasts is a breast prosthesis implant or autologous fat graft augmentation. Since the recovery period following breast prosthesis is short and does leave a scar, more and more patients are choosing to have breast prosthesis reconstruction. In recent years, post-op complications have been fewer and fewer via clinical observation, and patients’ satisfaction is on the increase. One of the main reasons is the development and improvement of Transaxillary Endoscopic Silicone Gel Breast Augmentation. In the past, when having breast cancer reconstruction, the pectoralis major muscle was cut open to place the breast prosthesis. Nowadays, with increased self-awareness, more and more patients request reconstructed breast prosthesis as the results are smooth, natural, soft and supple breasts that allow the patient to wear underwear as normal. To meets patients' expectations, a high-resolution endoscope is required for surgeons to reconstruct sophisticated soft tissue.

Dr. Tsung-Chun Huang also points out that even though the recovery period of the Transaxillary Endoscopic Silicone Gel Breast Augmentation surgery is faster, it requires a drainage tube and surgical wound care after the operation. Patients will not be able to take a bath for 2 to 3 weeks. Moreover, spicy and salty food and intense exercise of the upper limbs or when lying down should be avoided. After the operation, the discutient, based on the patient’s condition, will gradually disappear in 1 to 3 months. Patients should consult a plastics and reconstruction surgeon before the operation so that the doctor can help them get the most appropriate breast reconstruction.

Breast cancer is the most common disease for women. If the cancer is detected and diagnosed by early screening, at an early stage or is a carcinoma in situ phase, patients can be treated with chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or radiation therapy to greatly increase the chance of being cured. Therefore, more and more young breast cancer patients not only expect the cancer to be cured, but also hope that the removed breast can be reconstructed to reduce the psychological impact caused by the disease. Dr. Tsung-Chun Huang advises women of a certain age to get a mammography subsidized by the government once every two years to increase the chance of early detection and successful treatment.