The treatment of breast cancer has evolved significantly from the original surgical
technique described by Halsted. The reconstruction of the breast has also been a large
interest among surgeons and patients. The history of breast reconstruction dates back
to the 1800s with an attempt to transplant a lipoma to a mastectomy site. Several
techniques ranging from the “walking flap” of Gilles to the free perforator flap using
autogenous tissue for recreation of a breast “mound” have been established and refined.
The use of tissue expanders for breast reconstruction has also been perfected over
the last three decades. Breast reconstruction, which was once admonished in the early
part of the 20th century, has now become a routine choice for women undergoing breast
cancer surgery.
Reconstruction - breast - history - cancer - surgery
