Feeling & sensation after breast reconstruction
Hear about new techniques being used to try to preserve and restore feeling and sensation in the breast after reconstruction.
“That [extra] 20 minutes is this woman’s entire lifetime of [breast] sensation,” A/Prof Cindy Mak.
Loss of feeling after a mastectomy and reconstruction is a concern for many women.
Luan talks to A/Prof Cindy Mak & Dr Joe Dusseldorp about techniques they’re using to preserve and reconstruct nerves.
They also share the results of these surgeries: listen out for my "wow” jaw-drop when Dr Cindy tells us that they’ve observed that temperature sensation is developing after reconstruction.
And Dr Joe also tells us – hot off the press! – how he’s using the same nerve reconstruction techniques developed for the breast to help optimise the sensation in the tummy area after DIEP flap surgery.
We talk about:
Breast sensory nerve preservation:
For DIEP, TUG & implant
Can it be used for delayed recon?
‘Spare part’ nerve grafting
Breast sensory nerve reconstruction
Abdominal nerve preservation:
Sensory and motor (core muscle strength)
Things to consider about these techniques
How can patients find out more about them
Listen to this episode
Links:
Where you can find Luan:
If you’ve found any of the content upsetting, please reach out and get help. Breast Cancer Network Australia has a free confidential helpline – 1800 500 258. Beyond Blue has a range of free resources online, or you can call them 24/7 on 1300 224 636.
