Efficacy of an external volume expansion device and autologous fat grafting for breast reconstruction following breast conserving surgery and total mastectomy: Small improvements in quality of life found in a prospective cohort study.

J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg

Discipline of Surgery, College of Medicine & Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department, Flinders Medical Centre, Level 5 Ward C, Flinders Drive, Bedford Park, Adelaide, South Australia 5042, Australia.

Published: January 2020

Background: Although autologous fat grafting (AFG) for breast reconstruction is feasible, the best methods have yet to be established. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of fat grafting using an external expansion device for complete breast reconstruction post breast cancer surgery hypothesizing that it would improve quality of life.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in women who had undergone breast cancer surgery and complete reconstruction using AFG. An external expansion device was used previously (as per Miami protocol) to a single-stage AFG. Quality of life outcomes were determined using the validated BREAST-Q questionnaire, and 3D laser and magnetic resonance imaging scan were used to measure fat graft retention.

Results: Twenty-six participants were recruited, with seven withdrawing. The remaining 19 women were compliant with external expander use. The mean volume of AFG was 270.4 mL (98-490 mL) with a mean of 48.8% retained at 12 months following injection. Symmetry improved but did not meet the acceptable symmetry ratio of 0.8. Nine patients (47.3%) noted increased skin elasticity and softening of areas of scarring. Skin irritation occurred in 11 out of 19 patients. Mean BREAST-Q scores improved significantly in the domains of satisfaction with breast (40 vs. 49, p < 0.001), psychosocial well-being (55 vs. 68, p < 0.001), physical well-being abdomen (73 vs. 87, p < 0.001), and sexual well-being (41 vs, 48, p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Improved quality of life and breast volume increase were achieved following external expansion and AFG. However, breast fat engraftment retention was similar to that reported in previous studies using fat grafting alone.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bjps.2019.07.007DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

expansion device
12
fat grafting
12
breast reconstruction
12
autologous fat
8
quality life
8
prospective cohort
8
cohort study
8
external expansion
8
breast cancer
8
cancer surgery
8

Similar Publications

The integration of self-expandable nitinol frames with cable-driven parallel mechanisms offers a promising advancement in minimally invasive cardiovascular interventions. This study presents the design, fabrication, and verification of a miniaturized self-expandable nitinol frame to enhance catheter tip steerability and navigation within complex vascular anatomies. The frame is reduced in size for delivery through 7-8 Fr sheaths while accommodating diverse vascular diameters, allowing up to a maximum expansion of 15 mm.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Orthodontic Management in Pediatric Patients with Rare Diseases: Case Reports.

J Clin Med

December 2024

Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, U.O.C. Pediatric Dentistry Unit, 00161 Rome, Italy.

: The orthodontic management of pediatric patients with rare diseases, such as Ectodermal Dysplasia (ED) and Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), requires complex protocols due to dental anomalies in both the number and structure of teeth. These conditions necessitate a departure from traditional orthodontic approaches, as skeletal anchoring is often required because of these anomalies. A patient with ED, characterized by hypodontia and malformed teeth, presented with insufficient natural teeth for anchorage.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Modeling of Electric Field and Dielectrophoretic Force in a Parallel-Plate Cell Separation Device with an Electrode Lid and Analytical Formulation Using Fourier Series.

Sensors (Basel)

December 2024

Department of Applied Physics, National Defense Academy, Hashirimizu 1-10-20, Yokosuka 239-0802, Kanagawa, Japan.

Dielectrophoresis (DEP) cell separation technology is an effective means of separating target cells which are only marginally present in a wide variety of cells. To develop highly efficient cell separation devices, detailed analysis of the nonuniform electric field's intensity distribution within the device is needed, as it affects separation performance. Here we analytically expressed the distributions of the electric field and DEP force in a parallel-plate cell separation DEP device by employing electrostatic analysis through the Fourier series method.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The widespread propagation of wireless communication devices, from smartphones and tablets to Internet of Things (IoT) systems, has become an integral part of modern life. However, the expansion of wireless technology has also raised public concern about the potential health risks associated with prolonged exposure to electromagnetic fields. Our objective is to determine the optimal machine learning model for constructing electric field strength maps across urban areas, enhancing the field of environmental monitoring with the aid of sensor-based data collection.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Glaucoma treatment involves reducing the intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve, to a normal range. Aqueous drainage devices may be used for treatment, and a variety of devices have been proposed. However, they have a non-variable and uniform inner diameter, which makes it difficult to accommodate the IOP fluctuations that occur after glaucoma surgery.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!