AeroForm patient controlled tissue expansion and saline tissue expansion for breast reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Prosthetic reconstruction of the breast, as a 2-staged procedure using tissue expanders followed by placement of permanent implants, offers favorable aesthetic results with minimal additional surgical intervention. However, the current outpatient process to fill saline expanders can be lengthy and onerous, involving months of office visits and discomfort from the bolus saline expansions. We present a new technology (AeroForm Tissue Expansion System), which has the potential to improve the process of breast tissue expansion by providing a method for low-volume incremental filling, eliminating the need for injections and directly involving the patient by allowing her some control over the expansion process.

Repair of abdominal wall defects with bovine pericardium.

Background: Ventral hernia repair with prosthetic mesh has recurrence rates up to 54% and is contraindicated in the setting of infection. The aim of this study was to provide our experience with acellular bovine pericardium (Veritas collagen matrix; Synovis Life Technologies, Inc., St.

Management of contaminated autologous grafts in plastic surgery.

Background: Contamination of autologous grafts unfortunately occurs in plastic surgery, but the literature provides no guidance for management of such incidents.

Methods: American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery members were asked to complete an online survey that asked about the number and causes of graft contaminations experienced, how surgeons dealt with the problem, the clinical outcomes, and patient disclosure.

Results: Nineteen hundred surgeons were asked to participate in the survey, and 223 responded.