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Will reconstruction help chronic pain?

Page last modified on: October 16, 2008

Question from EbbyS: I am hesitant about reconstruction because of chronic post-mastectomy pain (it's been 2 years). What impact does reconstruction have on chronic post-mastectomy pain? Does it tend to make it better or worse?: Answers —Joseph Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S.: My experience has been that in many instances reconstruction actually seems to make the post-mastectomy pain better. That includes both implant reconstruction, but it is definitely more common following reconstruction using the patient's own tissue, like a TRAM flap. Now I'll ask Dr. Sabol to comment.; Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S.: While I know of no studies looking at the incidence of post-mastectomy pain prior to and after reconstruction, I agree with Dr. Serletti that anecdotally, patients seem to have an improvement in their pain if their pain was related to scarring and fibrosis. Patients that have other reasons for chest wall pain, such as fibromyalgia, will generally not notice a change in their symptoms, but as a rule will not worsen.

On Wednesday, May 16, 2007, the Ask-the-Expert Online Conference was called Reconstruction Updates. Joseph Serletti, M.D. and moderator Jennifer Sabol, M.D. answered your questions about breast reconstruction.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.

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Meet the Experts

Joseph M. Serletti, M.D., F.A.C.S. is professor of surgery and chief of the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a pioneer in the field of free flap autologous breast reconstruction.

Jennifer Sabol, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a breast surgeon who directs the newly developed Breast Care Center at Lankenau Hospital in Wynnewood, Pa. Among her many interests, Dr. Sabol spearheads several research initiatives to advance the care for women with breast cancer and improve methods of breast cancer detection and treatment.