Episode 16: Defining Nerve Preservation and Nerve Reconstruction

Have you ever been overwhelmed as a breast cancer patient with terms pertaining to treatment and surgical options? Our topic today is breast sensation. Sensation in the breasts is vital for sexual health, as well as protection and safety for feeling heat.

In this episode of the DiepCJourney podcast we are going to focus on two terms regarding breast sensation for those facing mastectomy: nerve preservation and nerve reconstruction. What is the difference between the two terms? When can these procedures be performed and my whom? Does every patient have access to these two types of nerve sensation surgery?

My guests today are two leaders in the field of nerve preservation and nerve reconstruction.

Anne Peled, MD, is a dual trained breast surgeon and plastic surgeon practicing in San Francisco, California. She was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of thirty-seven choosing to undergo a lumpectomy instead of a mastectomy because of great concern with being left numb.

Dr Minas Chrysopoulo, MD, FACS, is a microsurgeon who performs breast reconstruction focusing on autologous tissue reconstruction, using the patient’s own tissue. He is the president of PRMA in San Antonio and Founder of the free breast cancer app, Breast Advocate.com.

Dr. Peled and Dr. Chrysopoulo have presented at webinars and conferences training colleagues globally on the techniques of nerve perseveration and nerve reconstruction surgery.