Breast Sensory Nerve Transfer Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Paradise Valley, AZ

At the time of a mastectomy, sensory nerves to the skin of the breast are removed with the breast tissue causing loss of sensation and numbness to the remaining breast skin. Over time, some patients may experience limited sensory return, however, most patients are left insensate.

Whether a patient choses to have breast reconstruction with implants or their own tissue, return of breast skin sensation is limited at best. Surgeons at the Aesthetic and Restorative Breast Center are able to routinely perform a “nerve transfer” at the time of the flap (patient’s own tissue) reconstruction. Nerve transfer improves the return of sensation to the reconstructed breast by joining together a sensory nerve of the flap to the nerves of the breast or chest. Unfortunately, patients with previous radiation have a lower chance of regaining breast sensation.