Rationale for immediate reconstruction of the breast following modified radical mastectomy.

In 62 patients in whom modified radical mastectomy was accompanied by immediate breast reconstruction, the operative and pathologic findings are compared to the clinical results. Immediate reconstruction following modified radical mastectomy appears to offer several advantages over delayed reconstruction. The data indicate that immediate reconstruction provides excellent technical results, is associated with less expense and morbidity as compared to delayed reconstruction, and does not adversely affect the natural course of the disease within the follow-up period studied. No adverse effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on the reconstructive effect was noted in this series of 62 patients when the initiation of adjuvant chemotherapy was timed so as to avoid difficulties with hemostasis. The technical aspects of the immediate reconstruction are described.