Three-dimensional (3D) imaging technology currently is used by various commercial industries as a method for analyzing objects and shapes. Recent work from our group and others offer data to support the use of 3D imaging as a valuable tool in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. We have developed a system for creating 3D breast models that provides clinical data that can help guide surg...

BACKGROUND The technique of delayed-immediate breast reconstruction includes immediate insertion of a tissue expander, post-mastectomy radiation, followed by reconstruction. The aesthetic benefits of delayed-immediate reconstruction compared to delayed reconstruction are postulated but remain unproven. The purpose of this study was to compare aesthetic outcomes in patients following delayed and...

BACKGROUND Postmastectomy adjuvant therapy is used to prevent locoregional recurrence and improve overall breast cancer specific survival rates. However, it can adversely affect the cosmetic results of reconstruction. Therefore, the authors examined flap stability and patients' satisfaction with immediate breast reconstruction after adjuvant therapy. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed the me...

Use of human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) during prosthetic breast reconstruction has increased. Several ADM products are available produced by differing manufacturing techniques. It is not known if outcomes vary with different products. This study reports the complication prevalence following use of a tutoplast-derived ADM (T-ADM) in prosthetic breast reconstruction. We performed a retrospect...

PURPOSE: The Breast Reconstruction Risk Assessment (BRA) Score is a model developed to predict the risk of surgical site infections (SSI) within 30 days after breast reconstruction. This was derived from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database, where the average risk of SSI was 3.75%. We aim to externally validate this model in our cohort of patients who have undergon...

Quantitative and objective methods to evaluate the morphology of the reconstructed breast may help plastic surgeons improve their surgical practice, and thus ultimately help breast cancer survivors derive the intended psychosocial benefits of reconstruction. Recently, we developed a quantitative and objective way to measure the curvature of the breast on standard clinical photographs. Here we c...

What is Breast Reconstruction Therapy?  Breast Cancer affects 1 in 8 women throughout their lifetimes, and is second most common cause of cancer death for women in the US. However, due to modern advances in detection and treatment options, the number of breast cancer survivors, as of 2008, is approximately 2.5 million. With better survival rates, the focus of breast cancer treatment has grown ...

BACKGROUND Latissimus dorsi flap is one of the best options for immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. However, this technique is limited by the tissue volume provided by the flap. To improve breast volume while reducing complications, fat grafting is now very often used in addition to latissimus dorsi flap. To the best of our knowledge, fat grafting was always performed as a second-line ...