Partial Breast Reconstruction or Oncoplastic Breast Surgery: Partial Breast Reconstruction aims at achieving optimal cosmetic outcomes while ensuring complete cancer removal. Unlike mastectomy, which removes all breast tissue, partial mastectomy targets only the tumour and some surrounding tissue, preserving healthy breast tissue whenever possible.

Oncoplastic Breast Surgery is incorporated after breast-conserving surgery involving removal of the diseased portion of the breast tissue to restore the breast contour and volume. It helpsto maintain the breast's natural appearance.

Who Needs Partial Breast Reconstruction?

Partial breast reconstruction is primarily for women who've had a partial mastectomy (or wide excision) to remove cancerous tissue while preserving rest of the breast. It is indicatedfor those who want to maintain their breast's appearance after surgery. Candidates include:

• Women undergoing partial mastectomy for breast cancer.

• Individuals seeking symmetry after cancer surgery.

• Patients with small to moderate volume defects post-lumpectomy.

• Those unhappy with their breast appearance after surgery.

Types of Partial Breast Reconstruction:

Partial breast reconstruction uses oncoplastic surgery which combines oncologic principles with plastic surgery to achieve the desired outcome. The techniques are diverse and can be tailored to meet each patient's unique anatomical considerations, aesthetic goals and oncologic needs. Here, we outline some common approaches:

Fat Grafting (Lipofilling):

• Minimally invasive technique.

• Fat harvested from abdomen or thighs via liposuction.

• Processed and purified before injection into the breast.

• Ideal for small volume discrepancies and refining breast shape.

Autologous Tissue Reconstruction:

• The simplest procedure includes recruiting tissue from the surrounding breast by glandular reshaping and tissue rearrangement.

• For significant volume and skin restoration, advanced techniques involve relocating nearby healthy tissue e.g. from the side chest, upper abdomen or back into the breast defect.

• Provides durable results and additional support to remaining breast tissue.

Combination Approaches:

• Utilizes a mix of techniques for desired outcome.

• Example: Fat grafting combined with local tissue flaps for volume and contour optimization.

Techniques of Partial Breast Reconstruction:

• Volume Displacement Techniques: These techniques involve the use of autologous tissue, such as fat grafting or local tissue rearrangement, to restore lost volume and contour to the breast.

• Volume Replacement Techniques: These techniques involve transfer of tissue in continuity from the surrounding areas to replace volume with or without skin.

• Oncoplastic Reduction Mammoplasty: In this approach, the remaining breast tissue after excision is reshaped and repositioned to achieve symmetry and enhance the aesthetic appearance of the breast. Reducing the other breast may be an option to achieve symmetry.

• Breast Implants: For patients requiring additional volume or support, silicone or saline implants may be used in conjunction with partial breast reconstruction to achieve the desired outcome.

Benefits Of Partial Breast Reconstruction:

• Preservation of Breast Appearance: Partial breast reconstruction retains much of the breast tissue, maintaining the natural shape and contour, lessening the psychological impact of surgery.

• Improved Symmetry: By restoring volume and shape to the affected breast, partial reconstruction helps achieve a more balanced appearance, enhancing overall symmetry with the unaffected breast.

• Enhanced Self-Esteem: Restoring the breast appearance with part of the natural breast tissue can significantly boost patients' confidence and self-esteem, contributing to improved emotional well-being and overall quality of life.

• Minimized Scarring: Partial breast reconstruction techniques aim to minimize visible scarring by articulate incision and donor tissue harvest planning utilizing advanced surgical techniques, resulting in less conspicuous scars compared to traditional mastectomy.

Partial Breast Reconstruction is a transformative advancement in breast surgery, providing patients with a personalized approach to breast cancer treatment, that emphasizes both oncologic control and aesthetic results.