Staged breast reconstruction with a subpectoral silicone implant and autologous fat grafting after tissue expansion / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To explore the clinical application of subpectoral silicone implant associated with autologous fat grafting after tissue expansion, for breast reconstructions.@*Methods@#From Jan 2013 to Dec 2016, a total of 15 female patients were admitted to the plastic surgery department of the First Affiliated hospital of Fujian Medical University. They were after or were prepared to unilateral modified radical mastectomy. Patients were aged 18-50 years old, with the average of 33.5 years. There were 8 cases of T1N0MO (T1micN0MO, n=1), 3 cases of T2N0MO, 1 case of T2N1MO, 1 case of T1N2MO, 1 case of T2N2MO and 1 case of T3N3MO. A tissue expander was inserted beneath the posterior pectoralis major in first surgery. The cavity stripped range is greater than the expander around 1cm. The lowest position of the expander was determined according to the IMF of the other breast. The tissue expander was gradually filled intraoperatively and postoperatively periodically, until the expander exceeds 30%-50% of the volume of the other breast. Three months later, as the soft tissue over the breast area has stretched enough, the expander was removed in a second operation and a permanent implant was inserted. Meanwhile, the autologous fat particles, harvested from thigh or abdomen, was centrifuged at 800×g for 3 minutes. Then it was injected into the subcutaneous and posterior pectoralis major space. And the other breast may be adjusted if necessary for symmetry.@*Results@#Fifteen patients was included in this study (immediately tissue expander implanted, n=8; delayed tissue expander implanted, n=7). All the expanders are round in shape. The interval between the two operations was 6-12 months, with an average of 7.4 months. The total salt-water solution injected was 310-450 ml per patient, with an average of 365 ml. The volume of breast implants was 180-280 ml. The injection volume of autologous fat was 65-230 ml, 122.7 ml on average. All incisions healed well. The follow-up period was 1-3 years, with an average of 2 years. The reconstructed breasts were in a natural shape, with a slight drop and bilateral symmetry. According to Harris breast shape evaluation criteria, all reconstructed breasts were graded as excellent.@*Conclusions@#The permanent implant associated with autologous fat grafting after tissue expansion is alternative for breast reconstruction.