Robert Whitfield MDAmerica's Breast Implant Illness Expert™

Understanding Radiation Therapy Post-Breast Reconstruction | Dr. Robert Whitfield Explains

17 Nov 2017 · 2 min

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1:37

Dr. Robert Whitfield (speaking from Austin, Texas) explains that radiation therapy can be given safely after deep flap breast reconstruction in many cases, though outcomes depend on the reconstruction's design and execution. He acknowledges fat necrosis can occur after post-mastectomy radiation but states these areas can often be treated once tissues soften. He contrasts autologous deep flap reconstruction with implant-based reconstruction, noting implant complications with radiation can be as high as 30% though he reports lower rates in his practice.

Questions this video answers

November 17, 2017.

"As high as 30%" (speaker's stated figure).

Chapters

So this is Dr. Whitfield. I'm live from Austin, Texas, and I put up a question. Can you have radiation after deep flat brush reconstruction? I put this up because I get asked this question, and in my opinion, you can have that safely. It really depends on a few factors and most of it has to do with the design and execution of your deep flat brush reconstruction. I think in some instances where patients have had post mastectomy radiation therapy, they've had issues where they may have dealt fat necrosis. Obviously, this is a difficult complication and no one expects this after their procedure. However, I've done many of these successfully over the last decade and have not been concerned about or had difficulty with patients developing significant amounts of fat necrosis. I think overall, if they do develop any areas of fat necrosis, these can be treated once the tissues have softened up. I still think this is a largely much more successful procedure than having implants that are radiated where rates of complications can be as high as 30%. Certainly in my hands, I have not seen that complication rate at all in patients who had deep flaps after having been treated with radiation therapy. All right, if you have any comments or questions, please shoot them at me. Thanks.