Tissue expansion, is a simple method of breast reconstruction. Method. A prospective study of 27 patients treated over a 43 month\r\nperiod is described. At the first stage the expander is inserted in the dual plane, and the medial pectoral nerve is divided. The tissue\r\nexpander is over-expanded. Second stage: a de-epithelialized vertical triangle is used to aid anterior projection, an inframammary\r\nfold is created and a silicone gel prosthesis inserted. Z-plasties are added to the transverse scar. The contralateral breast can be\r\ntreated or left alone. Complications were recorded and the results were assessed by 4 plastic surgeons using a visual analogue scale.\r\nResults. 19 patients had expanders inserted at mastectomy (2 bilateral) and 8 underwent delayed reconstruction, with a mean age\r\nof 47 years (range 30ââ?¬â??65 years). A single prosthesis was inserted in 15 patients (mean size 320 mL) and two prosthesis were stacked\r\nin 12 patients (mean volume of 400 mL). The mean delay from full expansion to the second stage was 10 weeks (range 3 weeksââ?¬â??11\r\nmonths). A contralateral augmentation was performed in 5 patients, pexy in 10, a reduction in 2 and in 8 patients no procedure\r\nwas performed. One patient required explantation. The mean visual analogue assessment was 7. Conclusion. This technique should\r\nbe considered enhance the cosmetic results in tissue expansion.
Loading....