ABSTRACT
Objective:To compare the difference and effect of fat grafting assisted by adjustable external volume expansion (EVE) and fat grafting only in female patients who chose autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction after a breast cancer operation.Methods:A retrospective analysis was carried out in 17 patients in the past four years. The patients in the experimental group wore EVE 10 hours daily for four weeks before surgery, and the negative pressure value was -60 mmHg. From the second week after the operation, they continued to wear EVE 10 hours every day, and the initial negative pressure value was -40 mmHg. After one week, the negative pressure was adjusted to -20 mmHg, and the EVE was worn for four weeks after surgery. Both the experimental group and the control group chose classical Coleman fat for breast reconstruction.Results:The number of operations in the experimental and control groups was 3.0±0.8 and 3.9±1.2, respectively ( t=2.193; P<0.05). The single fat injection volume of the experimental group and the control group was (228.60±15.34) ml and (198.20±12.01) ml, respectively ( t=4.861; P<0.01). The single fat volume preservation rate of the experimental group and the control group was (31.6±5.8)% and (25.8±6.2)%, respectively ( t=2.226; P<0.05). For postoperative complications, there were 3 cases in the experimental group (10 cases in total) and 3 cases in the control group (7 cases in total). Conclusions:For breast cancer patients who choose autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction, wearing EVE can reduce the number of operations, improve the single fat injection volume and postoperative fat preservation rate, and reduce postoperative complications.