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Breast expander ports appear to be safe after multiple perforations
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Countess of Chester Hospital, Chester, UK. hagenschmacher@yahoo.com
British Journal of Plastic Surgery
|May 18, 2005
Summary
Leakage from breast tissue expander ports is a concern. This study found that repeated needle punctures into the inflation port did not cause leakage or membrane damage, suggesting ports are not a common source of deflation.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Medical Device Engineering
- Plastic Surgery
Background:
- Breast tissue expanders are commonly used in reconstructive surgery.
- Inflation ports are critical components for filling expanders.
- Concerns exist regarding potential leakage from these ports.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether repeated needle punctures of breast tissue expander inflation ports cause leakage.
- To assess the integrity of port membranes after multiple perforations.
Main Methods:
- Experimental study using three inflation ports.
- Performed 100 perforations per port using 23G and 21G needles.
- Examined ports and needles for leakage and material debris.
Main Results:
- No leakage was detected after 100 perforations with either needle size.
- No membrane material was found within the needle lumens.
- The inflation port membrane remained intact.
Conclusions:
- Repeated needle insertions into breast tissue expander inflation ports are unlikely to cause leakage.
- The inflation port itself is not a probable cause of breast tissue expander deflation.