Immediate breast reconstruction after modified mastectomy for carcinoma of the breast

With the increased knowledge of breast cancer and its implications, many women are unwilling to accept the deformity that results from the surgical treatment of this disease. The acceptance of modified mastectomy as the procedure of choice in carcinoma of the breast has resulted in selected patients being offered rehabilitation by restoration of the breast contour at the time of definitive surgery or 6 months later. We believe that an immediate breast prosthesis after modified mastectomy for carcinoma of the breast is an acceptable procedure in selected patients. The two-team approach to this procedure as advocated by Halsted will provide the patient with a maximal cancer preventive operation with a minimum of mental and emotional anxiety.