Criteria for breast reconstruction surgery: another viewpoint.

Abstract

A more articulated model than now exists for shaping criteria for breast reconstructive surgery can be drawn from an examination of the criteria followed by museums for treating work of art. This article characterizes the challenge for oncologists and general surgeons to convey usable information to women facing a mastectomy and propose a model for making these decisions on the basis of an art museum curator's assessment of the appropriate degree of restoration for a range of damaged works of art.