Breast Surgery Images
Our extensive library of breast surgery illustrations, many labeled, include precise medical illustration of breast reduction, mastectomy and breast reconstruction. The illustrations are ideal for use as visual guides to the processes for all sorts of purposes, including teaching aids, patient information and marketing.
Please see our entire selection of
Breast Surgery Images
Breast Reduction
Large breasts can be a problem for many women – they can cause direct problems such as back, shoulder and neck pain, as well as skin irritation and rashes and also can cause depression and low self-esteem. The procedure itself involves removal of excess fat, tissue and skin, repositioning of the nipple and reshaping of the remaining tissue. There are many techniques to reduce breast size, including the pedicle method, peri-areolar reduction and Wise pattern breast reduction.
Breast Removal (Mastectomy) and Reconstruction
In cases of breast cancer where the cancer cannot be removed by moving part of the breast (lumpectomy), the whole breast may need to be removed (mastectomy). Breasts may also be removed as a preventative measure in cases where there is a high risk of developing breast cancer in future. If cancer has spread the lymph nodes around the breast then a more extensive removal of tissue is needed. There are five main types of mastectomy; simple or total mastectomy, modified radical mastectomy, radical mastectomy, partial mastectomy and subcutaneous mastectomy. Breast reconstruction may occur at the same time as mastectomy (if no further treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy is needed) or when the patient has finished treatment for the cancer. Simple or total mastectomy removes just the breast, without removing the lymph nodes in the underarm or muscles beneath the breast. Modified radical mastectomy removes the breast and the lymph nodes in the underarm area, but not the muscles beneath the breast. Radical mastectomy removes the breast, lymph nodes and muscles beneath the breast. Partial mastectomy involves removing just the cancerous tissue and surrounding area. Nipple-sparing mastectomy involves removing the breast but retaining the nipple.