Sechenov University surgeons in Tunis: advancing breast reconstruction practice

Today, defeating breast cancer is not only about curing the disease, it is also about restoring a woman’s body contours and, with them, confidence and quality of life. That is why oncologists, plastic and reconstructive surgeons worldwide increasingly work as one team, focusing on outcomes that matter to the patient.
What made this visit particularly important is the gap it addressed: aesthetic plastic surgery is well developed in Tunisia, while experience in complex reconstructive breast surgery has been limited. So Sechenov specialists were invited specifically to transfer skills in this area.
During the programme, the team delivered:
• a conference on breast microsurgery
• a live surgery session
• hands-on collaboration with Tunisian colleagues at key clinical sites, including the Mohamed Kassab Institute of Orthopaedics, where microsurgical reconstructions are performed on limbs, but microsurgical autologous breast reconstructions had not been done before
A major milestone: the first breast reconstruction in Tunisia using an autologous DIEP flap (patient’s own abdominal tissue) was performed jointly with local surgeons.
The team also demonstrated an advanced approach for complex cases without a microsurgical stage—thoracodorsal flap reconstruction combined with a breast implant, showing practical techniques that can be adapted to different hospital capabilities.