Mission and Values

Clear Language

Aesthetic flat closure is reconstruction of the chest wall contour.

Flat denial is when a surgeon disregards the patient’s consent and fails to perform the agreed upon aesthetic flat closure.

Full Disclosure

Women must be given full and accurate information about ALL of their reconstructive options, including aesthetic flat closure.

Shared Decision Making

The decision making process must center the patient’s values and priorities from start to finish for optimal surgical outcomes.

Evidence-Based Medicine

An optimal, evidence-based standard of care must be developed for aesthetic flat closure in order to ensure women consistently receive acceptable surgical outcomes.

Accountability

Respect for women’s informed consent is non-negotiable. Surgeons who intentionally disregard a woman’s reconstructive choice must be held accountable.

Fair Reimbursement

Surgeons deserve to be fairly reimbursed for flat closure and revision services, as aesthetic flat closure is a truly reconstructive, NOT cosmetic, procedure.

Systemic Parity

Achieving parity for flat closure requires legislative and regulatory change. Both the NCI [UPDATE! NCI has defined “aesthetic flat closure” as reconstructive (“rebuilding” the chest wall contour)] and WHCRA’s definitions of “breast reconstruction” as well as the NAPBC’s reconstructive consult protocol must all be amended to explicitly include aesthetic flat closure.