Breast Reconstruction
Dr. Gundlapalli is a double board-certified surgeon. He is certified by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) as a General Surgeon. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). He is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) as a board-certified plastic surgeon. Dr. Vinay Gundlapalli loves and... more
Breast cancer reconstruction has been proven to be safe and effective while improving the quality of life for breast cancer patients. The goal of reconstruction is symmetry and proportionality. One in eight women are diagnosed with breast cancer and the number of women who choose reconstruction is increasing. Breast reconstruction should be offered to all patients undergoing mastectomy as per several national guidelines, but in practice that does not always happen due to the unavailability of board-certified plastic surgeons who offer the breadth of reconstruction options.
Our expert team of board-certified plastic surgeons offers all varieties of breast reconstruction options including both implant-based and tissue-based. We take special pride in microvascular techniques, like the DIEP flap breast reconstruction. The complexity of microvascular surgery involves extensive planning prior to surgical procedures involving complex imaging studies like CT and MRI scans to evaluate the blood supply patterns of the tissue that will be used for the reconstruction. Once reconstruction is performed with this technique the site donar heals well and is very resilient for the rest of the patient’s life.
We also perform revision surgery for the previously reconstructed breasts that have symptoms or complications. We offer the most recent and current techniques including pre-pectoral breast reconstruction which has been shown to be better tolerated and faster recovery compared to subpectoral reconstruction. For our large breasted patients, we offer auto augmentation techniques like the modified Goldilocks’ technique, where we save and utilize patients' own tissue in conjunction with implants to provide a very natural implant-based reconstruction. Oncoplastic reduction techniques are offered to patients undergoing partial mastectomy who would like to be reduced and lifted. We offer adjunctive procedures like fat grafting, nipple reconstruction, and nipple/areolar tattoo.
We utilize multi-modal pain management for our patients after surgeries so patients have better less pain, decreased risk of narcotic use, and shorter hospital stays. We work closely with breast surgeons and surgical oncologists to provide a highly coordinated care approach. We perform such surgeries for women of all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses.
The publication “Robotic‐assisted deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap abdominal harvest for breast reconstruction: A case report”
Is a case report that demonstrated the pioneering work. The technique was described as a safe and effective way of performing breast reconstruction utilizing the most advanced technology and surgical techniques that are available. We utilized robotic surgery along with microvascular surgical techniques for breast reconstruction in a breast cancer patient. Dr. Gundlapalli was the lead author of the landmark case report in the reconstructive and microvascular literature. There have been several other studies and publications after our index case and this has led to many other surgeons are encouraged about the new technique.
Our work represents the next level of breast cancer reconstruction to utilize patients' own tissue. Utilizing the most advanced technology and techniques--this modality of reconstruction has the least donor site complications in the long term, less downtime for the patient, minimal pain post-operatively, and earliest discharge from the hospital. This was the first time such a procedure has been successfully performed and published in the literature. We believe this signals a noteworthy advance in the area of breast reconstruction.
