Breast Reconstruction with Tissue Expansion

This article is about breast reconstruction with the use if a tissue expander. It explains why there is some need for tissue expansion in many cases.

Breast reconstruction is a procedure that basically changes the current structure of a woman’s bosom in order to achieve a more normal looking one. It can be for just one side or both, to achieve symmetry. In many cases, this procedure is done following the removal of this part of the body due to conditions such as cancer and other growths. This is primarily in connection with the safety and the health of the woman that it is done. Not many men suffer from cancer in this area; in fact it is a rare occurrence for the male population.

The Need for Tissue Expansion

This process is necessary when the individual lacks enough tissue and sin to cover the procedure. Doctors find it necessary to grow more in order to use the additional growth. The process of growing tissue is done using a balloon instrument which is inserted under the skin. This instrument is usually placed near the area where it is supposed to be used. The silicone balloon is then filled with salt water and expanded slightly over a period of time. As it expands, so does the skin over it. The result is harvested before any breast reconstruction procedure is initiated.

Not all patients need tissue expansion. There are some people who may not have enough of the tissue and skin in order to cover the procedure of using implants. In some cases, the process of growing the skin is necessary in other aspects of plastic surgery in procedures where there is a need to repair the skin such as in birth defects and cases of immense physical trauma. Not all areas of the body are ideal for tissue expansion. Areas where the skin is thinner and more pliable are where doctors prefer to grow it.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Tissue Expansion

One of the advantages of this procedure is the fact that the grown skin and tissue is almost always a perfect match to the area where it is to be placed. In breast reconstruction, matching the color, texture and tone of the area is vital for the patient’s satisfaction. Hair bearing qualities of the skin is also ideal since it is from the same area. Another advantage is that the skin is less likely to die since the expansion is done in close proximity to the breast reconstruction site. The risks that the addition will die are relatively lower.

The disadvantages of using this method may be connected to the process by which the growth of the tissue is done. The addition of the silicone balloon along with the injection of the salt water makes for a very obvious bump which can be unsightly. In the use of implants, the bump may not seem obvious except for the fact that one breast may seem displaced. The staring may cause some discomfiture in the patient as well as the explaining why the bosom appears unnatural. The procedure also requires several visits to the doctor, due to the need for gradual expansion of the skin. This can be inconvenient for many and sometimes time consuming.

Article Tags: Breast Reconstruction, Tissue Expansion

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