Summary
Immediate breast reconstruction following modified radical mastectomy for breast carcinoma will be described. The method which is favored is an insertion of a Becker permanent expander prosthesis. This is overexpanded and left in this situation for 6 months if possible. It is then deflated and the filling valve is left for another month to carry out further adjustments as necessary. Ninety-six patients with 146 implants with an average follow-up of 3.2 years have been reviewed. The vast majority of patients have been satisfied with their results and the plastic surgeon has also been pleased and has judged this to be the best method for reconstruction available at this time. There have been complications of cellulitis, implant exposure, capsule formation, silicone and fluid leaks, but these have not been unduly significant when compared with the total number of implants inserted.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Becker H (1984) Breast reconstruction using an inflatable breast implant with detachable reservoir. Plast Reconstr Surg 73:678
Cohen IH, Turner D (1987) Immediate breast results with tissue expanders. Clin Plast Surg 14:491
Colon GA (1982) The reserve double lumen prosthesis; a problem in any report. Ann Plast Surg: 293
Georgiade GS, Riefkohl R, Cox E et al (1985) Long-term clinical outcome of immediate reconstruction after mastectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg 76:415–420
Gibney J (1989) Use of a permanent tissue expander for breast reconstruction. Plast Reconstr Surg 84:607
Jackson IT (1989) A selection of methods for immediate and delayed breast reconstruction. In: Bohmert HH, Leis PH, Jackson IT (eds) Breast cancer, conservative and reconstructive surgery. Thieme, Stuttgart New York, p 147
Johnson CH, van Heerden JA, Donohue JH, Martin K Jr, Jackson IT, Ilstrup DM (1989) Oncological aspects of immediate breast reconstruction following mastectomy for malignancy. Arch Surg 124:819–824
Noone RB, Frazier TG, Hayward CZ, Skiles MS (1982) Patient acceptance of immediate reconstruction following mastectomy. Plast Reconstr Surg 69:632
O'Keefe PJ (1983) The infection adjustable mammary implant. Ann Plast Surg 11:237
Pakiam IV, Young CS (1987) Submuscular breast reconstruction: a one stage method of tissue expansion. Ann Plast Surg 19:312
Schain WS, Wellisch DK, Pasnau RO, Landsverk J (1985) The sooner the better: a study of pyschological factors in women undergoing immediate versus delayed breast reconstruction. Am J Psychiatry 142:40
van Heerden JA, Jackson IT, Martin JK Jr, Fisher J (1987) Surgical technique and pitfalls of breast reconstruction immediately after mastectomy for carcinoma: initial experience. Mayo Clin Proc 62:185
Wellisch DK, Schain WS, Noone RB, Little JW III (1985) Psychosocial correlates of immediate versus delayed reconstruction of the breast. Plast Reconstr Surg 76:713
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jackson, I.T. Immediate breast reconstruction with prolonged overexpansion using the Becker permanent expander prosthesis. Eur J Plast Surg 15, 79–84 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178572
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00178572