Total Mastectomy

Total mastectomy (simple mastectomy) is the removal of the breasts due to some disease, generally cancer. There are few other types of mastectomy such as partial or segmental mastectomy that includes removal of the tumor and a larger portion of adjoining tissues; modified radical mastectomy that removes the breast along with the lymph nodes and is accompanied by breast reconstruction; the now redundant radical mastectomy that removes the breasts along with the muscles beneath. A total or simple mastectomy completely removes the breast but leaves the lymph nodes intact.

THE PROCEDURE

The process involves removing the entire breast with the nipple and the areola. A total mastectomy is a 1 to 2 hours procedure, requires a one or two nights hospital care and general anesthesia. Sometimes, additional examinations of the cancerous cells are required to determine the kind of cancerous tumor.

POST OPERATIVE CARE

The patient has to take care and monitor the plastic tube (drain) and drainage that is fitted after surgery into the incision, to take out blood and fluid that may keep oozing after surgery. This has to be done till the tube is removed.

Most patients are recommended some pain relievers for the first 3 to 7 days after surgery, initially intravenously and later orally. There is a feeling of numbness under the arm in case an axillary dissection is involved in the surgery. The numbness may reduce to some extent but be partly present forever.

Fatigue and mood changes are evident in such a major cancer surgery. A patient requires good rest for weeks after surgery that involves sufficient sleep. If it is an early stage of breast cancer, radiation is not needed after mastectomy, though it is mandatory in more complicated cases.

COMPLICATIONS

Some of the risks are: