Ultrastructural features of the double capsulated connective tissue around silicone prostheses.

The implantation of breast prostheses for both aesthetic and reconstructive purposes has been growing exponentially in the last 20 years. Safety and prosthesis lifespan are majorly debated issues in relation to the correlated long-term complications. Mainly the periprosthetic capsule that develops around the implant is often the cause of complications and particularly for macrotextured silicone breast implants.

Large-breast reconstruction using fat graft only after prosthetic reconstruction failure.

Background: When prosthetic reconstruction fails, and in the case of absolute contraindications to flaps use, no common reconstructive option is available.

Methods: A large irradiated breast was reconstructed using only fat grafts (9 sessions) after prosthetic reconstruction failure (exposure of implant) due to absolute contraindications to general anesthesia and unavailability of large flaps. During the first four sessions small volumes were implanted in the extremely rigid and retracted tissues with regenerative purposes.

The serial free fat transfer in irradiated prosthetic breast reconstructions.

Background: This study investigated the effects of lipofilling on both the functional and the aesthetic aspects of breast reconstruction.

Methods: Sixty-one consecutive patients with irradiated reconstructed breasts (62 breasts) were offered free fat transfer to enhance the results and correct the defects. Twenty patients were enrolled (active branch) and underwent multiple sessions of lipofilling, while the others were considered controls.

Otoplasty: a comparison of techniques for antihelical defects treatment.

Background: Prominauris, the most common malformative defect of the external ear, is dependent on a combination of elementary defects mainly affecting the antihelix and the concha. Transection versus cartilage weakening results in antihelix treatment are discussed.

Methods: In this study, 104 ears with antihelical defects were treated in 63 consecutive patients: the 33 patients (53 ears) in group A, received a transection-based treatment, whereas the 30 patients (51 ears) in group B, underwent cartilage weakening and suture.

Augmentation mammaplasty of teardrop-shaped breasts using round prostheses.

A new submuscular-subglandular technique to correct teardrop-shaped breasts using round prostheses is presented. In this technique the prostheses are only partially covered by muscle. The muscle is also divided to enhance the projection at the nipple level without the need for anatomical prostheses.

Aesthetic breast reconstruction.

Breast reconstruction is fully justified only from an aesthetic perspective. A reconstructed breast, therefore, should be as aesthetically natural and similar to the contralateral one as possible, even if this means reproducing some little defects. The breast's profile (projection, ptosis, sulcus location, and superficial unevenness), symmetry, areola, and nipple are the characterizing aesthetic factors.