Breast Reconstruction surgery

The Plastic Surgery Department works closely with the Primrose Breast Unit and provides complex reconstructive breast surgery to care for patients with breast cancer. 

Options for reconstruction include autologous surgery including free flaps (using the patient’s own tissues) and implant-based surgery. 

The main focus of the work provided by the plastic surgery department relates to autologous breast reconstruction. Autologous surgery is complex but typically leads to the most soft, warm, natural and long-lasting reconstruction. Typically, this type of reconstruction can be considered for patients who:

• do not smoke / nicotine vape

• are in good general health

• have a body mass index (BMI) of <32.

Reconstruction can be performed at the same time as mastectomy (immediate) or usually at least one year following mastectomy and other cancer treatments (delayed). The decision making for this is complex and is discussed in our department’s Oncoplastic multi-disciplinary team (MDT) meeting. Surgery is also performed to adjust or correct a previous reconstruction or to improve symmetry.

The lead consultants for this service are Mr James Coelho and Mr John Dickson.

Achievements

We are very proud of our team and the work that we do. We have a very high (98.4%) success rate with autologous DIEP breast reconstruction.

Internal audits have demonstrated

• progressive reduction in the length of time it takes to perform the surgery (from about 8hours to less than 6 hours for most patients)

• a reduction in the number of days that patients need to stay in hospital (historically 6-7 days and now typically 2-3 days).

These metrics and trends are very encouraging and reflect a general progressive improvement and refinement in the quality and safety of the work performed by the department.

Our Team

Planning, assessment, and delivery of care is performed as a multi-disciplinary team (MDT). Plastic surgeons, managers, support staff, specialist breast reconstruction nurses, breast surgeons, anaesthetists, oncologists, radiologists, and many other professionals all work together as a team to offer the best care possible for our patients.

The Plastic Surgery Department frequently works in collaboration with other specialties. We are fortunate to have an excellent team supporting the care we deliver.

Core team members

• James Coelho (Consultant Plastic Surgeon)

• John Dickson (Consultant Plastic Surgeon)

• David Camp (Consultant Plastic Surgeon)

• Will Beech (Secretary to Mr Dickson and Mr Coelho)

• Say Teoh (Mircosurgery Fellow)

• Katie Lewin (Breast Reconstruction Nurse Specialist)

• Claudia De-Luca (Breast Reconstruction Nurse Specialist)

• Michelle Lewis (Patient Bookings Co-ordinator)

• Kim Desborough (Lead Theatre Nurse for Theatre 14)

• Nikki Thomas (Lead Nurse for Lynher Ward)

• Gemma Bouch (Lead Nurses for Flap Monitoring)

• Caroline Payne (Lead Nurses for Flap Monitoring)

 

Primrose Foundation Charity

We have strong links with the Primrose Foundation who are a local breast care charity. The charity is based at the Primrose Breast Care Centre but are a separate organisation.

The charity has helped us with sponsoring and funding a patient feedback event and training fellowships, providing equipment, and supporting educational courses for staff.

We are very grateful for their help and support and would encourage anyone to contact them for information and support or to contribute.

Visit The Primrose Foundation Charity