SASKATCHEWAN (CBC) - The majority of women who have opted for breast reconstruction surgery after a mastectomy are happy with the results and would have one again, reveals a new U.S. study.

According to the study, published in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 98 per cent of those who have had the procedure say they had few complications and would do it again.

The reconstructive procedure involves replacing removed or lost breast tissue and the creation of a new breast form through an implant or addition of tissue from another part of the body to the chest area. A second procedure is done at a later date to reconstruct the nipple.

The study involved 74 women who had preventive mastectomies, meaning they chose to remove one or both breasts to either prevent breast cancer or to prevent the spread of an existing cancer.

Forty-seven patients in the group had cancer in one breast and 27 did not have cancer but were at high risk of developing the disease.

Those who had bilateral mastectomies were happier than those with unilateral procedures, though satisfaction rates were very high in both groups, the study reports.

One hundred per cent of the women with double mastectomies said they were satisfied with their reconstruction and 100 per cent said they would do it again, while 94 per cent of those with unilateral ones said they were happy with the outcome and 96 per cent said they would do it again.

Complication rates were three per cent for bilateral mastectomies and 10 per cent for unilateral mastectomies.

"For women who know they are at risk, this option gives them the opportunity to be active about their health and appearance rather than reactive," said Dr. Scott Spear, author of the study. "They can have excellent cosmetic results, low surgical risk and a high level of satisfaction with their breast reconstruction."

According to the study, 57,000 breast reconstruction surgeries were performed in the U.S. in 2007.

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