The foreign body response (FBR) is described as the host's response to implanted biomaterials, which involves a complex cascade of immune modulators. The dynamic changes of immune cells, inflammatory cytokines and the formation of a fibrous capsule remain to be elucidated. In the present study, a model of subcutaneous implantation of a tissue expander was used. The results revealed that macroph...

OBJECTIVE Since removal of an infected tissue expander is very disappointing to both the surgeon and the patient, every effort is directed toward its salvage. This study evaluates a new method to salvage infected tissue expanders. METHOD Of 66 tissue expanders applied at different sites in the body, 12 developed infection. Salvage was carried out by exteriorizing the buried port, followed by ...

BACKGROUND Nipple-sparing techniques have improved the aesthetics of reconstruction following mastectomy, but nipple necrosis complicates up to 37% of procedures, distressing patients, delaying adjuvant therapy, and compromising outcomes. No method reliably detects nipple necrosis better than clinical assessment of tissue perfusion. We prospectively assessed the accuracy of intraoperative indoc...

UNLABELLED Overfill of tissue expanders is a commonly used modality to achieve customized dimensions in breast reconstruction. Little formal study of the dynamics of hyperexpansion of these devices has been performed to date, however. METHODS Overfill trials were performed using both Natrelle 133 MV and Mentor 8200 tissue expanders of indicated capacities ranging from 250 to 800 mL. Each expa...

A prospective longitudinal study in 75 growing cats was conducted to evaluate palatal soft-tissue expansion in cleft lip and palate surgery. In 31 cats, palatal scars were induced by simulated Langenbeck surgery at the age of 8 weeks. At the age of 14 weeks, custom-made tissue expanders were inserted in 61 animals. Tissue expansion was performed by weekly inflation in 33 cats (16 without and 17...

BACKGROUND Breast projection is a critical element of breast reconstruction aesthetics, but little has been published regarding breast projection as the firm expander is changed to a softer implant. Quantitative data representing this loss in projection may enhance patient education and improve our management of patient expectations. METHODS Female patients who were undergoing immediate tissu...

MATERIALS AND METHODS The technique uses a breast expander following mastectomy, which is then filled regularly until the desired expansion is reached (Fig. 1); the expander is then deflated by approximately 100–150 cc of saline to allow the same or slightly greater amount of purified adipose tissue to be transferred to the mammary region; with an approximately 6-month interval in between sessi...

Objective: Benchtop methods were evaluated for preclinical inflammation/capsule formation correlation following implantation of human acellular dermal matrices. Methods: Dermal matrices were compared with native dermis for structure (histology, scanning electron microscopy), collagen solubility (hydroxyproline), enzymatic susceptibility (collagenase), and thermal stability (differential scannin...

BACKGROUND Implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy has recently been reported to be the preferred type of surgery among breast-specific surgeons and plastic surgeons. AIMS To explore the significant clinicopathological factors associated with long-term outcome related to local recurrences of the nipple among patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with tissue expan...