Expander implant exchange and revision breast reconstruction. Before fat grafting, the patient sits in a breast tissue expansion session to secure maximum graft take. Outcomes of tissue expander implant breast reconstruction in the setting of prereconstruction radiation. Seromas are a common complication associated with breast reconstructive surgery. Nonautologous implant breast reconstruction usually involves a two step procedure. Ariel rad, top breast cancer reconstruction surgeon in washington dc explains the benefits of breast expansion after mastectomy surgery. Tissue expander breast reconstruction is the most common method of breast reconstruction currently performed in the u. The most common method of breast reconstruction currently performed in the us uses tissue expander and breast implants.
Now that most of the pain from the surgery has eased, i realize that its the tes causing me the most trouble. Permanent implants are more flexible and easier to tolerate than tissue expanders. This second stage of the breast reconstruction allows for the. Mar 10, 2011 there is a trend toward limiting antibiotics to a single dose given before surgery. Last year i have my right breast removed and a tissue expander put in at the same time. This video is for patients who have had reconstruction using a tissue expander. The number of expansions you require will depend on your frame, the quality of your skin and tissue, as well as your goals for reconstruction. Allox2 tissue expander for breast reconstruction youtube. The tissue expander on the right had continued to move towards my armpit and twist around. During her second operation the tissue expander was replaced for a permanent implant and left breast lift was performed for symmetry. About breast reconstruction using a tissue expander and implant after your mastectomy surgery to remove your breast, you will have a breast reconstruction surgery using a tissue expander. Breast reconstruction and the pain in the ass known as.
Shower with bactoshield the night before and morning of each tissue expansion. Mentor has release a couple new and exciting product. Tissue expanders range of motion exercises week 1 youtube. The expander is gradually filled with continuous expander application of sterile saline.
Do breast reconstruction tissue expanders cause pain as they. Breast reconstruction may also involve more than one procedure, though followup procedures are often performed on an outpatient basis. Women faced with breast cancer and mastectomy surgery may find more complete healing through breast reconstruction to recreate the removed breasts. This article provides a practical guide for successful reconstruction using current techniques and available devices. Breast implants implants are placed in a womans chest under the skin, fat, and muscle. I had my first followup appointment with my plastic surgeon this past friday. Post mastectomy reconstruction with a tissue expander and implant involves a staged approach. The purpose of this study was to evaluate breast tissue expanders with magnetic ports for safety in patients undergoing abdominalpelvic magnetic resonance angiography before. Once secured with its suturable wings, the expander remains where positioned and will not rotate. While this may occur at any time, its most often seen within a few weeks after the expander is inserted. For me, the worst part of any of my surgeries was mentally getting geared up for it. In the setting of expander implant reconstruction, the first stage involves the placement of the tissue expander while the second requires expander implant exchange and revision. First a tissue expander is placed to stretch the skin and create a cavity for the permanent implant.
My ps said to wear a bra so the scar tissue that will form around the implant will not misaline the position of the implant and it will not be crooked. Breast tissue expander for natural breast expansion video. Expands the youtube video to fill your entire web browser window. For existing patients, click here to download tissue expander reconstruction. Oct, 2015 the unique medical procedures may be most deemed throughout nations around the world such as addition to australia at the same time. Patient information on breast reconstruction in the era of the world wide web. Cancer institute has a breast reconstruction brochure you can download here. All went well until a few weeks before i was scheduled to have the expander removed and the actual implant inserted. Tissue expanders the surgery breast reconstruction. Breast reconstruction using a tissue expander memorial. Over the muscle versus under the muscle is the biggest debate.
My tissue expander toimplant exchange surgery is in just five days. Occasionally breast reconstruction surgery is performed on the natural breast so that it will look similar to the reconstructed one. You need someone to drive you to your appointment for the first 3 weeks postoperatively or as long as you requiring narcotic pain medicine. Things your plastic surgeon may forget to tell you about tissue expanders menu. I have a long life to live and i want to live it whole. What to expect during tissue expander breast reconstruction fill appointment duration. This video will show you how to perform the exercises youll need to do after your breast surgery.
When i was originally shown the expander it looked like a small, almost. Side view of breast area with unfilled tissue expander in place. Infection may be seen in more than 2% of breast tissue expanders and can happen at the time of surgery or weeks and years later as infection elsewhere in the body reaches the implant. A small percentage of patients develop an infection around the expander. A tissue expander is a temporary device that is placed on the chest wall deep to the pectoralis major muscle. By using a tissue expander, the breast skin can develop a new blood supply and become able to take on the weight and pressure of the implant. Numerous studies documented that will the amount of women considering the breast reconstruction surgery can be improving on a yearly basis plus the key cause that ladies can be getting the targets as soon as the medical procedures. Get information from the american society of plastic surgeons about tissue expansion risks and safety. Expander the expander is basically and implant with nothing in it. If youre considering breast reconstruction, the following information may be helpful.
Tissue contractiona new paradigm in breast reconstruction. Tissue expanders are temporary devices placed on the chest wall, under the pectoralis major muscle and is used to create a soft pocket to contain the permanent implant. Soon i will not have these rubber baseballs on my chest this video gives a little glimpse into a special project i started. When your incisions have begun healing from your tissue expander placement surgery, normally about 2 weeks after your surgery, you may begin your expansions. Breast reconstruction procedures emory university hospital. This 32 yearold lady developed right breast cancer and underwent mastectomy followed by immediate tissue expander reconstruction. Tissue expander and redness but cultures all show no infection. A breast tissue expander is an inflatable breast implant designed to stretch the skin and muscle to make room for a future, more permanent implant. My breast was warm to the touch, but i had no fever nor did i have any pain. Today 22 days post mastectomy i answer all the questions i received.
Technique for seroma drainage in implantbased breast. It is a balloon like device that has a fill port usually built into the front of the device. Atlanta tissue expander pictures breast reconstruction. Tissue expansion can be a beneficial surgical alternative for many pediatric and adult patients. A tissue expander stretches skin and muscle to accommodate a breast implant, which can be painful. Usually it depends upon how much a patient tolerates the injection but can also be impacted by factors such as radiation, chemotherapy, healing, tightness, etc. This essentially involves expansion of the breast skin and muscle using a temporary tissue expander. Prior to the development of tissue expanders, plastic surgeons had to resort to skin grafts and skin flaps to reconstruct damaged tissue. In most cases, the reconstruction is performed in stages starting with a tissue expander which is later exchanged for the final implant. Tissue expanders are temporary implants designed to stretch tissue after a mastectomy to prepare for breast reconstruction. Posted on february 1, 2017 in breast reconstruction, tissue expanders by dr. Tissue expansion american society of plastic surgeons. Tissue expander for staged breast reconstruction john hopkins medicine. Right now i have tissue expanders first step in breast reconstruction that were placed inside my empty breast cavities.
Tissue expansion risks and safety american society of. Believe it or not, that made it a little more comfortable. Things your plastic surgeon may forget to tell you about. Breast reconstruction with implants and tissue expanders on vimeo. I also am dealing with a seroma in the right armpit since the surgery on may 1st. My breast or chest area felt tight like my breast was engorged when i was breast feeding i took vicodin for pain every 46 hours that first week then advil was enough for the pain. Placement of the permanent implant is the second procedure. I have emerged from the deep, dark pit of the interwebz even more confused than when i started.
Tissue expanders for dummies breast cancer sisterhood. Prma plastic surgery center for advanced breast reconstruction 29,483 views 4. Many breast reconstruction patients ask me about what they can expect with tissue expanders. Hirsch em, seth ak, dumanian ga, kim jy, mustoe ta, galiano rd, et al. What is the role of tissue expanders in recontructive surgeries. At the surgeons discretion, the use of a tissue expander may contribute to the benefit of the treatment. My original double mastectomy doctor thinks it is related to scar tissue, 4 surgeries in one year, and possibly the removal of a few lymph nodes. Staged breast reconstruction involves expansion of the breast skin and muscle using a temporary tissue expander. Nov 14, 2012 we are going to let the left tissue expander catch up to the right tissue expander before we resume fills on that side. A free powerpoint ppt presentation displayed as a flash slide show on id. Breast reconstruction and the pain in the ass known as expanders. Breast reconstruction breast cancer network australia.
Skinport tissue expander an expandable device intended for implantation to temporarily enlarge tissue, typically the dimensions of a skin flap where there is insufficient tissue coverage to accommodate the volume of an implantable device e. Tehrani demonstrating a breast tissue expansion on a patient before surgery. How many ccs to put in expanders to achieve a large c cup. Ive had it drained off with a syringe a dozen times. Recovery after tissue expander breast reconstruction surgery. Nevertheless, tissue expansion is not appropriate for every patient, because it is a time. These devices now offers a safe and reliable way to facilitate the. Regardless of the type of expander used, this is a generally what patients can expect following surgery. I had reconstruction at the time of my mastectomies. Today i talked with a woman whos had phase one of her reconstruction surgery. May 02, 2015 this is a demonstration of the allox2 tissue expander used for breast reconstruction with allograft sling. This is a demonstration of the allox2 tissue expander used for breast reconstruction with allograft sling.
The tissue expander holds the place of the skin and allows the skin to be expanded to hold the final soft breast implant. Use of a doublelumen stacked expander and breast implant. Instructional video on how to fill a mentor tissue expander. The use of alloderm lifecell, branchburg, new jersey, an acellular dermal matrix adm, in breast reconstruction to facilitate complete coverage of the implant expander gained popularity in 2005.
The most commonly used is the tissue expander with valve, like a balloon, which is equipped with a tiny valve, through which saline can be pumped. No surgery was required to the opposite breast as its shape matched the reconstructed breast. In some cases, the expander may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. Breast reconstruction often requires multiple operations, even if you choose immediate reconstruction. Patient information on breast reconstruction in the era of the world. For many breast reconstruction patients, the first step involves placement of a breast tissue expander a breast shaped device with an easytoaccess portregardless of whether the patient final result will be an implant reconstruction or a living.
Expanders tend to be firmer and less comfortable than permanent implants. Granick, md, facs professor of surgery, tenured chief of plastic surgery why. Although an expander may be avoided, some patients may still require a secondary procedure. Exercises after breast surgery with reconstruction. Twostage tissue expander and permanent implant breast reconstruction is one of. Types of tissue expander and breast implants used in. Purchasers of the informed consent resource cd are given a limited license to modify documents contained herein and reproduce the modified version for. Normal scar tissue covering a stacked mammary prosthesis that was removed 3 years postoperatively for replacement. Photos advanced plastic surgery plastic surgery grand. The world of tissue expanders and breast implants is terrifying. I developed redness on the lower side of my breast.
This video is for patients who have had reconstruction usi. Doctors circle worlds largest health platform 1,984 views. How many ccs do i need to put in the expanders to get to a large c cup. Exercises after breast surgery with reconstruction using a. The length of the expansion process varies depending on the amount of expansion required to reach the optimal breast size, and the type of expander used.
Tissue expansion for breast reconstruction postoperative. A silicone balloon expander is inserted under the skin near the area to be repaired and then gradually filled with saline or carbon dioxide over time, causing the skin to stretch and grow. Breast reconstruction also can be done many months or even years after mastectomy or lumpectomy. My original double mastectomy doctor thinks it is related to scar tissue, 4 surgeries in one year, and. Three to four weeks after the mastectomy, a saline solution will be injected into the expander to gradually fill it. Tissue expander for staged breast reconstruction youtube. A permanent or temporary tissue expander is first placed behind the chest muscle, usually through. Compared to her other breast, she says the new ones too high and too perky, but she knows when all is said and done, the new breast will look more like her natural breast. The allox2 is fda cleared and may help avoid additional surgery from seroma, hematoma, or. Right now my left side is at 325 ccs and my right is at 550 ccs. Tissue expansion is a relatively straightforward procedure that enables the body to grow extra skin for use in reconstructing almost any part of the body. Jan 29, 2012 last year i have my right breast removed and a tissue expander put in at the same time.
I anticipate ill need about nine more fills at 50 ccs each until i reach the maximum capacity. This may be done immediately following the mastectomy, or as a delayed procedure. The technique was an improvement on that previously described by radovan in 1978 in which a temporary tissue expander needed to be replaced with a permanent breast implant. Dermaspan breast expanders our innovative line of dermaspan breast tissue expanders is ideal for latissimus flap and other breast reconstructive procedures. Join the conversation on breast cancer healthline a free app for people living with breast cancer. Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and implants offers patients satisfying aesthetic results with no donor site morbidity. When i tell people ive had 10 breast cancer surgeries they find it hard to believe, but after a lumpectomy, mastectomy, tissue expander, permanent implant and nipple reconstruction on just one breast, thats five surgeries right there. Dec 29, 20 breast reconstruction and the pain in the ass known as expanders. Once the tissue expanders are adequately filled they are exchanged for the permanent breast implants.
Patient is undergoing a revision breast lift with fat grafting. Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and implants. Here is an overview of the types of tissue expanders and implants used in breast reconstruction today. Tissue expander to implant breast reconstruction prma. If the soft tissue over the expander is healthy, i guess you could opt to leave it in and just see what happened. Ofteen i wil lfill about 60 cc a session sometimes more and sometimes less depending upon these factors. Each dermaspan features a reinforced base that facilitates initial placement and rollout. Breast reconstruction typically involves several procedures performed in stages, and can either begin at the time of mastectomy or be delayed.
The shift from modified radical mastectomy to skinsparing and nipplesparing mastectomy offers new options for immediate breast reconstruction. G other muscles of the chest wall 3 lines to one letter learn about breast implants, and other types of breast reconstruction. These pictures were taken 2 years after her mastectomy and she has completed her reconstruction and has had tattoo of her areolas and nipple reconstruction. I was beginning to think i had made a mistake by going with the tissue expander. I got sooo many questions about my tissue expanders and reconstruction. The most common method of breast reconstruction performed uses tissue expanders and breast implants. He said im doing extremely well, and he injected 50 ccs of silicone into my tissue expander. Types of tissue expander and breast implants used in breast. How does a tissue expander for breast reconstruction. Each tissue expander can accommodate 750 ccs of saline. Inferolateral alloderm hammock for implant coverage in breast reconstruction.
Oct 06, 2017 mentor has release a couple new and exciting product. The expander can be placed above or below the chest muscle and can be filled with either saline or carbon dioxide depending on the type of expander used. Tissue expansion for breast reconstruction postoperative instructions what are my postoperative instructions. Breast reconstruction surgery after a breast cancer diagnosis recreates the shape of the. Kristine have you made your doctor aware of your constant pain. In expander based breast reconstructions, a seroma can pose a particularly difficult problem related to final tissue envelope shape as well as an increase in the risk of infection and possible tissue necrosis. Ariel rad, top breast cancer reconstruction surgeon in washington dc explains the benefits of breast expansion after mastectomy surgery with breast tissue expanders. So after a year or a year and a half i could start going more bra less but still wear one once in a while to continue the assurance or a good looking breast. In many cases, secondary breast revision can also be done at the time of nipple areola reconstruction.
Approximately four months after placement of the tissue expander, the device was removed and replaced with a permanent implant. Their new breast implant is more firm, which reduces the risk of rippling in the implant. Breast reconstruction using a tissue expander implant from the institute of reconstructive plastic surgery of central texas can help to give women a sense of feeling whole again following breast cancer treatment, with beautiful, natural results. I am now 3 12 weeks postmastectomy, and still very uncomfortable. A tissue expander is a temporary breast implant device placed under the pectoral muscle of the chest and inflated over time to stretch out remaining muscle and skin.
Pain from tissue expanders used in breast reconstruction is very common, but thankfully, temporary. Breast reconstruction with implants and tissue expanders. Although this new implant is more firm, it is still. I did not have to have a drain put in because i had breast tissue he was placing the expander under so the trauma was minimal. During reconstruction, a plastic surgeon creates a breast. Expander prostheses with integrated valves are particularly popular for breast reconstruction where adequate soft tissue and pocket can accommodate the added projection of the injection port. A presentation in our plastic surgery society indicates this puts patients who undergo breast reconstruction at a higher risk for infection, reoperation, and consequently, reconstructive failure. Tissue expansion is a common technique used for breast reconstruction. At the same time your mastectomy is done by our breast surgical oncologist, the breast plastic and reconstructive surgeon will insert a tissue expander beneath your skin and chest muscle. Some patients are candidates for directtoimplant breast reconstruction also known as singlestage or alloderm onestep whereby the permanent implant is i.
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