Reconstructive Surgery
Cancer treatment can cause damage to your body that affects how it works or looks. In order to repair this damage, you may need a type of surgery called reconstructive surgery. Surgical Oncology in Mumbai,Navi Mumbai
Reconstructive surgery is different from cosmetic surgery. You may have cosmetic surgery to look better or feel better about your appearance, but it is not needed for medical reasons. Reconstructive surgery is done for medical reasons. This type of surgery is usually covered by insurance, for both large and small procedures.Surgical Oncology in Mumbai,Navi Mumbai
Why would I need reconstructive surgery?
You are most likely to need reconstructive surgery after some types of surgery to remove cancer. For example, you might have a breast removed to treat breast cancer. You may choose to have reconstructive surgery to replace the breast with an implant. Or you might have tissue or nerves removed during treatment for head and neck cancer, skin cancer, or other types of cancer. Reconstructive surgery can help repair the changes to your body from your cancer surgery.
Where is reconstructive surgery done?
Reconstructive surgery can be done in the hospital, at your doctor's office, or at a clinic or surgery center. The location depends on the type of surgery, your general health, where your surgeon does surgery, and other factors. Ask your health care team for more information if it is unclear to you where your reconstructive surgery will be done. Surgical Oncology in Mumbai,Navi Mumbai
Who will do my reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery may be done by the same doctor who removes the cancer. This may be your surgical oncologist, which is a cancer surgeon. Or, a surgeon who specializes in reconstruction or a plastic surgeon may do your reconstructive surgery after your cancer surgery. If you have a reconstructive surgeon, they will be part of your health care team and will work closely with your oncologist and other health care team members.
How does reconstructive surgery work?
Reconstructive surgery often uses tissue from 1 area of your body to repair another area. For example, head and neck surgery might change the shape of your jawbone. So your surgeon may take some bone from your leg to repair your jaw. This can restore the shape of your jaw and help it work normally.
The medical term for this type of surgery is "autologous reconstruction." This means that the tissue used in the surgery comes from your own body. It is a common type of reconstructive surgery.
In the new area, your surgeon will use tiny stitches to connect the tissue and blood vessels so that the tissue gets a good blood supply. The stitches are so small, you would need a microscope to see them. This is also called "microvascular" surgery. Surgical Oncology in Mumbai,Navi Mumbai
Other types of reconstructive surgeries include:
Skin, tendon, and bone grafts. Your surgeon will move, or transplant, healthy tissue from another part of your body to the area that needs repair.
Local flap surgery. Your doctor uses tissue from a nearby area to cover the damaged area. The tissue stays attached to your body's blood supply. This can speed up healing and also reduce scarring.
Artificial implants. You might receive an artificial body part, or implant. For example, implants are available for a breast, testicles, or penis that has been removed as part of cancer treatment.
For some procedures, like jaw reconstruction, your surgeon may use a 3-D printer to build an implant. This implant will be placed in your body during surgery.
Scar revisions. This type of reconstructive surgery helps repair scars from earlier surgery. Surgical Oncology in Mumbai,Navi Mumbai