Description mastectomy

Mastectomy – operation, performed, to remove breast tissue. There are several different procedures for mastectomy, Below are some of them:

• Partial Mastectomy or lumpectomy – remove the tumor and a small margin of surrounding breast tissue;
• Simple mastectomy, where the entire breast is removed;
• A modified radical mastectomy – the entire breast and some lymph nodes in the armpit are removed, and pectoral muscles remain in place;
• Radical mastectomy – remove the entire breast, The lymph nodes, and pectoral muscles (rarely performed).

In some cases, mastectomy is done?

Mastectomy is performed in the following cases:

• To cure breast cancer;
• To prevent breast cancer, if there is a family history of the disease, and at very high risk of breast cancer (rarely done);
• For correction of severe side effects from previous treatment of breast cancer (rarely done).

Possible complications during mastectomy

Complications are rare, but that does not mean the absolute absence of risk. If you plan to perform a mastectomy, the doctor will review the possible complications, which may include:

• Bleeding and bruising;
• Gray (accumulation of clear fluid in the incision site);
• Infection;
• Main succulente, caused by the accumulation of fluid in the lymph nodes (lymphedema);
• Limited arm and shoulder movement;
• Numbness of the skin on the forearm;
• Pain after surgery (burning, stabbing chest pain on the spot removal);

Some factors, which can increase the risk of complications after mastectomy:

• Obesity;
• Poor diet;
• Smoking;
• Conventional or chronic;
• Use of certain drugs or food supplements.

How is the mastectomy?

Preparing for mastectomy

Before the surgery, your doctor may do the following:

• Conduct a medical examination;
• Mammography – test, which uses a low dose of X-rays, to take a picture of breast tissue;
• A biopsy of the breast – thin, a hollow needle is used to take a small sample of breast tissue;
• Blood tests.

On the eve of the operation:

• The patient may be asked to stop taking certain medicines a week before the procedure,:
  • Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs;
  • Blood-thinning medicines, such as clopidogrel or warfarin;
• We need to organize a trip home, ask someone to help with recovery at home;
• The day before surgery can have a light meal. You do not eat and drink liquids after midnight and then the day of surgery.

Anesthesia

In most cases it will be used general anesthesia. It will block any pain and keep a patient in a state of sleep. The anesthetic is administered through a drip in the arm or shoulder.

Procedure mastectomy

The doctor makes an incision in the chest oval. Breast tissue, including the nipple and areola, deleted. This will be done by cutting the muscle tissue from the base. Nearby lymph nodes (armpits), It may also be removed.

The doctor then inserts a tube to drain blood and fluid levels. At the end of the operation the incision is sewn stitches.

How long will the surgery to remove the breast?

Duration mastectomy – 1-3 o'clock.

Will it hurt during the mastectomy?

Anesthesia will prevent pain during the procedure. The pain may be felt during convalescence.

The patient may also feel numbness and tingling, or pulling feeling in the underarm area. The doctor will give pain medicine, to reduce pain. If you removed a small portion of the breast, pain can almost be felt.

Average time spent in the hospital after mastectomy

1-3 day

Caring for the patient after mastectomy

Care in a hospital

• If the patient had cancer, and it spread further, Chemotherapy may be necessary and / or radiation therapy;
• The drainage tube may be removed for 1-2 days;
• You may need to take medication against nausea and pain. The patient may feel nauseous for several hours after the operation and can not eat normally. Therefore, food can be nutritious infusion fluids intravenously. For several days after surgery, perhaps, You have to eat a light meal.
• To prevent the formation of blood clots are advised to wear a compression garment. This will help reduce the likelihood of blood clots in the legs.
• Improvement in lung function. The patient may be asked to use an incentive spirometer. This device, which helps to breathe deeply. It is important to breathe deeply and cough frequently, to improve lung function after general anesthesia.

Home Care

Upon returning home, you need to perform the following actions, to ensure the normal recovery:

• It is necessary to keep the area clean and dry operation;
• If the patient has a drainage tube, you need to measure the amount of liquid released. If you have problems, you need to inform your doctor;
• It is recommended to avoid strenuous activity for about six weeks,;
• Work with a physical therapist. Therapy may include exercises for shoulders and arms;
• We need to ask your doctor about, when it is safe to shower, bathe, or taking a bath;
• Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions;
• If the lymph nodes were removed, you need to take the following precautions, to avoid fluid accumulation and infection:
  • Rising from time to time suffered a hand;
  • Perform hand movements. You should start slowly;
  • Do not measure your blood pressure, do not take blood from the injured hand;
  • Wear gloves, to wash dishes, perform cleaning;
  • Do not wear anything, that clamps the arm;
  • Do not wear in the affected hand heavy objects;
  • Use moisturizer for the injured hand;
  • It is necessary to use an electric, to shave your armpits;
  • Protects against sunburn.

Recovery will take about six weeks. We need to see a doctor for 7-14 days after surgery. The doctor will discuss the results and further treatment.

About a month after surgery, You can start to wear light breast prosthesis. The prosthesis may be replaced by a constant, When the operating incision heals.

The possibility of breast reconstruction surgery should be discussed with your doctor.

Contact your doctor after mastectomy

After discharge from the hospital need to see a doctor, If the following problems:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills;
• Redness, edema, growing pain, bleeding or discharge from the incision;
• Cough, breathlessness, chest pain;
• Nausea and / or vomiting, which do not disappear after taking the prescribed medicines, and persist for more than two days after discharge from the hospital;
• Redness, fever, swelling, constraint, or the feeling of hardness in the arm or hand on the side of the body, where lymph nodes have been removed;
• Swelling and / or pain in the feet;
• Other worrisome symptoms;
• Changes in the tissue at the site of mastectomy;
• Hardness, skin changes or nipple remaining breast;
• Depression.

In the case of a serious and rapidly deteriorating health should immediately call an ambulance.