Restoring the breast to match the normal side.

Abstract

Although breast symmetry is for most patients a reconstructive goal of the highest order, the alteration of a normal breast may, for many women, constitute another "branding." Our patients have chosen overwhelmingly to leave their normal breasts "untouched" since having been given the opportunity to do so. Treatment planning and surgical methods are described that have made possible symmetrical results without change in the normal breast. Representative patients are shown to document the usefulness of these plans in women of varied anatomy. Our ongoing experience shows us that it is an uncommon patient, indeed, for whom symmetrical breast restoration cannot be accomplished without resorting to surgery on the normal organ.