Post-mastectomy garment

Abstract

A garment for use by a patient after surgery for breast removal which alleviates post-operative pain and discomfort and facilitates normal activities during the recovery period. A padded vest-like garment is adapted for applying comforting pressure to the sites of removal of breast and other tissues and for holding pain relieving packages. A detachable arm support provides further comfort in a similar manner.

Description

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a garment for use by a patient after surgery for breast removal which alleviates post-operative pain and facilitates normal activities during the recovery period.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONCancer of the breast is a significant health problem because of the usually fatal results if it is not treated in time to prevent metastatis or spread of the cancer to other parts of the body. Because of the severe consequences, the most prevalent treatment is a radical mastectomy entailing removal of the entire breast including lymphatic vessels and adjacent axillary lymph nodes under the arm, through which, if not removed, the cancerous cells can easily spread throughout the body, and sections of the arm and chest muscles beneath the breast. Less radical treatments may also be used such as a "lumpectomy", where only the tumor and immediately surrounding tissues are excised, or a modified mastectomy, where less surrounding tissues are remov...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a garment for use by a patient after surgery for breast removal which alleviates post-operative pain and facilitates normal activities during the recovery period.

Problems solved by technology

Cancer of the breast is a significant health problem because of the usually fatal results if it is not treated in time to prevent metastatis or spread of the cancer to other parts of the body.

Such treatments may present greater risk of recurrence of the cancer.

Thus, silicone implants were developed to be used in surgically reconstructed breasts and have become a subject of current controversy as to their safety.

A radical mastectomy, because of the removal of muscle and lymph tissues in areas having large concentrations of nerves, results in severe and long-lasting post-operative pain.

Mobility of the adjacent arm is greatly impaired and movement is painful, even during sleep.

Normal functions which are not usually physically demanding, such as steering a car, may be painful due to the problems of resting the impaired arm in a comfortable sustainable position.

Without denigrating the contributions of those who have developed post-mastectomy prosthetic devices, it is believed that too little attention has been paid to the development of devices to alleviate the pain associated with a patient's efforts to function normally after undergoing a mastectomy.

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