First successful autologous flap breast reconstruction performed by the medical team of Affidea Brust-Zentrum Ticino at the Clinica Sant’Anna in Lugano

A major milestone in the care of breast cancer patients in Ticino

Affidea Brust-Zentrum Ticino, under the direction of Dr Barbara Pompei, specialist in plastic and reconstructive surgery, in collaboration with the Plastic Surgery Group led by Prof Jian Farhadi and the Clinica Sant’Anna, proudly announces a significant step forward in regional healthcare.

For the very first time, an autologous flap breast reconstruction – an innovative technique using the patient’s own tissue – has been successfully carried out at the Clinica Sant’Anna in Lugano.

This complex microsurgical procedure represents a particularly natural and long-lasting method of reconstruction, offering women who have undergone breast cancer treatment restored bodily integrity and an improved quality of life. Due to its high level of technical difficulty, it requires exceptional surgical expertise.

“We are proud to be able to offer this specialised procedure for the first time in a private clinic in the Canton of Ticino,” says Dr Barbara Pompei, head of plastic and reconstructive surgery at Affidea Brust-Zentrum Ticino. “This marks an important step in the medical care of women in our region and a major advance towards more comprehensive, personalised and humane breast cancer therapy.”

With this new microsurgical option, Affidea Brust-Zentrum Ticino is further expanding its already wide-ranging services in diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, strengthening its role as a leading centre of excellence for integrative breast medicine in Ticino.

Carrying out this operation locally allows patients to benefit from shorter travel distances, support in their native language and access to highly specialised surgery in a familiar environment.

About Affidea Brust-Zentrum Ticino

Affidea Brust-Zentrum Ticino offers interdisciplinary care, high medical standards, and a complete, holistic and specialised treatment pathway in breast medicine. This includes breast cancer prevention, diagnostic imaging, outpatient consultations, and drug-based cancer therapies. All stages of treatment can be delivered by a single medical team, forming the foundation of this integrated and comprehensive care pathway.

The highly specialised medical team successfully began its activities in 2024, comprising breast surgeon Dr Damir De Monaco, plastic surgeon Dr Barbara Pompei, oncologist Dr Alexandre Christinat, radiologist Dr Valerio Vitale, and breast surgeon Prof Virgilio Sacchini. The centre continues to expand its services and grow its teams to ensure patients receive the very best care close to home.