Nerve Allograft-regaining sensation after breast cancer and mastectomy
I have noted several posts about women losing sensation/feeling in their breasts after mastectomy. PLEASE educate yourself as much as possible about ALL potential procedures and follow ups. It can save future heartache.
So, nerve allografting was started several years ago. During mastectomy they will salvage 2-3 axillary nerves-possibly split them and graft them onto donor cadaver nerves.
After surgery as you heal you will have to stimulate (heat/cold/pain/touch/soft) each quadrant of your breast every day to encourage nerve growth ( think of a root system in a plant and the branches spreading out). 3-6 month window should see return of feeling.
OR… DIEP flap surgery with skin, arterial, fat and nerve grafting from your own body will give you warm, natural feeling breasts with the same potential for nerve growth as the allograft procedure.
If you have implants? You can still go back and get the DIEP flap surgery.
Consult with a board certified MICROVASCULAR certified plastic surgeon.
Find a surgeon that has 3D VECTRA imaging.
It will take a series of photos and give you an idea of before and after surgery.
The more you know? The better you can advovate for yourself.
And NEVER settle for anything less than what makes YOU feel comfortable with yourself. Don’t ever let a doctor or surgeon pressure you into making a decision before you are comfortable and get a second opinion if you need to ( yes, insurance has to cover it-all of this actually).
Blessed be…s
Update: In answer to a question that someone asked on here? You CAN have this nerve allograft procedure AFTER a mastectomy!!!!
Timing Options
Immediate Reconstruction: Performed at the exact same time as the mastectomy and initial breast reconstruction.
Delayed Reconstruction: Performed weeks, months, or even years after the initial mastectomy.
Revision Surgeries: Done during secondary or revision procedures (such as swapping implants or switching to a flap reconstruction).
How Delayed Nerve Grafting Works
Nerve Identification: Surgeons locate the previously severed sensory nerves in the chest wall (such as the intercostal nerves).
Allograft Bridge: A sterilized human nerve allograft (like Resensation) is used as a scaffold to bridge the gap between the chest nerve and the target tissue or nipple.
Regeneration: Over time, nerve fibers slowly grow through the graft to help restore touch and sensation.
Things to Consider
Nerve Availability: Performing the procedure later depends on whether viable nerve endings can still be identified and safely reconnected.
Prior Radiation: If you received post-mastectomy radiation therapy (PMRT), it can sometimes impact tissue and nerve recovery, though studies show sensory restoration is still possible in many cases.