[Immediate use of an expander during mastectomy. Analysis of 120 cases]

This study analyses a series of 116 patients, in whom mastectomy was followed by immediate insertion of temporary tissue expander. The technique is safe, simple and quick. It carries an acceptably low complication rate. Moreover, it does not interfere with any other local or general adjuvant therapy, if needed. The advantages are rapid post operative healing and psychological recovery, creation of a favorable site for a better quality breast reconstruction. Later on, any procedure for the breast reconstruction can be used. We concluded, that this procedure may be recommended more often; 62% of cases of mastectomies in this series.