OBJECTIVE Adjunct acellular dermal matrices (ADM) are thought to improve esthetic outcomes of breast reconstruction but the existing evidence is largely anecdotal. In this study, we provide comparative data on esthetic outcomes of expander-implant breast reconstruction with and without ADM. METHODS Chart review was performed on a consecutive series of expander-implant reconstructions by the s...

OBJECTIVES Epidermolysis bullosa is a rare skin disorder characterized by blister formation in response to minor trauma as well as extracutaneous manifestations. Details of the surgical history and technical considerations for performing breast reconstruction in a patient with epidermolysis bullosa are discussed. METHOD The history and details of breast reconstruction in a patient with epider...

Surgical techniques for breast reconstruction have been greatly refined in last decades and important landmarks have been achieved. Autologous reconstruction with microsurgical flaps marked a before and after in breast reconstruction because the aesthetic outcome is improved, a prosthesis is not needed and long-term results are good. Different types of flaps have been used to create a new breas...

INTRODUCTION: Autologous breast reconstruction is the preferred technique for those patients who require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of radiation, these patients may benefit from immediate placement of a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy followed by a second stage conversion to autologous tissue (delayed-immediate reconstr...

INTRODUCTION: Autologous breast reconstruction is the preferred technique for those patients who require radiation therapy as part of their treatment plan. In order to avoid the detrimental effects of radiation, these patients may benefit from immediate placement of a tissue expander at the time of mastectomy followed by a second stage conversion to autologous tissue (delayed-immediate reconstr...

BACKGROUND Women considering breast reconstruction must make challenging trade-offs amongst issues that often conflict. It may be useful to quantify possible outcomes using a single summary measure to aid a breast cancer patient in choosing a form of breast reconstruction. METHODS In this study, we used multiattribute utility theory to combine multiple objectives to yield a summary value usin...

BACKGROUND Achieving symmetry is a key goal in breast reconstruction. Anatomically shaped tabbed expanders are a new tool in the armamentarium of the breast reconstruction surgeon. Suture tabs allow for full control over the expander position and thus inframammary fold position, and, in theory, tabbed expanders mitigate many factors responsible for poor symmetry. The impact of a tabbed expander...

Results During this time period, 153 (27%) of patients with breast cancer were 60 years or older. Approximately, one third (49 patients) required or elected mastectomy as primary treatment. Of the 49 women evaluated, 17 (28%) elected delayed implant-based breast reconstruction. No patients experienced major complications at the longest follow up. Conclusion Elderly women undergoing with mastect...