what are breast expanders

what are breast expanders

1 year ago 65
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Breast expanders, also known as tissue expanders, are used after a mastectomy to increase the amount of tissue available for breast reconstruction. They are essentially empty breast implants that are placed during a mastectomy or in a second surgery after the patient has healed and finished cancer treatment. The tissue expander is like a breast implant, but it has a valve that may be used to fill it with sterile saltwater. Over several weeks, the expander is gradually filled with saline through a small tube to stretch the skin and create a pocket of tissue into which the doctors insert the breast implant. The increasing size of the expander stretches the skin, creating a pocket of tissue into which the doctors insert the breast implant. They may also use this extra tissue to build a new breast. Once the expander volume matches the contralateral breast, an additional 30-35% of volume should be added to help create a more natural ptotic breast. The surgeon removes the expander during reconstruction or implant surgery. The two main risks of using tissue expanders are infection and leaking.

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