Reverse Expansion for Breast Reconstruction after Skin-sparing and Nipple-sparing Mastectomy: Our First 100 Cases

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Oncologic Surgery
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Advancements in oncological treatment and reconstructive techniques have improved outcomes for breast cancer patients.
• Reconstructive surgery plays a vital role in restoring aesthetics and quality of life post-mastectomy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present the experience and outcomes of the reverse expansion technique for breast reconstruction.
• To summarize the results of the first 100 cases using this innovative approach.

Main Methods:

• The reverse expansion technique involves autologous fat tissue transplantation using a skin expander and multiple lipofilling sessions.
• During each session, the breast expander was deflated to accommodate injected fat, facilitating tissue integration.

Main Results:

• 253 breast reconstruction procedures were performed on 100 patients between January 2010 and September 2018.
• The technique was applied in 56 skin-sparing mastectomy and 44 nipple-sparing mastectomy cases.
• A low complication rate of 1.5% (4 out of 253 procedures) was observed, including surgical site infections and one donor site hemorrhage.

Conclusions:

• The reverse expansion technique demonstrates a fast postoperative recovery and an easy learning curve.
• The procedure yields natural-looking breast shape and soft grafted tissue consistency.
• This technique is proposed as a primary option for autologous breast reconstruction following skin-sparing and nipple-sparing mastectomies.