Appraisal of breast reconstruction with the tissue expansion technique

Our experience with 29 patients treated using the tissue expander technique at the Breast Unit, Longmore Hospital, Edinburgh, UK was evaluated. A morbidity rate of 19%, of minor complications only, was seen with expander insertion, tissue expansion and insertion of the permanent prosthesis. Twenty-two women completed questionnaires, two of whom had undergone bilateral reconstruction. In the opinion of the patients, the improved freedom of dress and improved naked appearance after reconstruction, compared with after mastectomy, more than compensated for the abnormal sensation over or around the reconstructed breast; 19 patients rated their clothed appearance as good as that before mastectomy. Twenty of these women were assessed by a four-person panel. A range of end results was noted; symmetry, cosmesis and size were generally better when wearing a brassiere. Lack of ptosis, surgical scars and firmness on the reconstructed side were the main reservations. Tissue expansion breast reconstruction is highly acceptable to patients and has satisfactory surgical results.