Question 1

tell me about chemotherapy after mastectomy and tissue expander?

Accepted Answer

No effect: Chemo in the adjuvant setting after mastectomy when given after the wound heals has no effect on reconstructive techniques employed.  One can do a tram flap or use tissue expanders and a latissimus flap with no problem.  This even holds true when therapeutic doses of chemo are used if metastasis is detected at the time of surgery, should  the latter be employed

Question 2

is it safe for a 2nd tissue expander to continue expanding breast area for reconstructive surgery?

Accepted Answer

Site specific: More info is needed to give an exact answer ...But if it is placed in the proper distance etc it should be ok..Timing also very important.

Question 3

is it normal to leave a breast expander in for 11 months for a breast reconstruction for a 34 b size without complications, no chemo no tissue probs?

Accepted Answer

In some cases: There are indications to leave an expander in for a longer time than usual. Especially if you are undergoing chemo or radio therapy treatments .  Unless there are infections or soft tissue problems it should not cause any long term issues. This is something you need to discuss with your plastic surgeon, so as to plan your subsequent procedures.

Question 4

what exactly does a breast reconstruction tissue expander do? it's been almost a year since my mastectomy. during my breast reconstruction consultation, my surgeon mentioned using a tissue expander to make room for my new breast. how does this work?

Accepted Answer

When : When a mastectomy is performed, most of the skin that would allow your tissue to accommodate a breast implant is also removed, and there is not enough skin to cover an implant and create a natural appearing breast.  A tissue expander is a balloon-like implant that is placed in the position of a breast implant, and is gradually inflated with saline through a series of well-tolerated expansion injections.  With gradual inflation of the expander, your tissues expand and create space for a permanent breast implant.  Once you reach final expansion volume, your tissue is allowed to heal and maintain the expanded volume for 2-3 months before placing your permanent breast implant at a second operation.
All the best, 
dr. Skourtis.

Question 5

is alloderm with a tissue expander recommended at the time that my breast cancer tumor is removed? i am a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with right breast cancer. i do want to have the same size breasts again after treatment for breast cancer. is preparation

Accepted Answer

It : It sounds like you have decided to have a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast) rather than a lumpectomy with radiation.  This is a reasonable choice as both work just as well for curing most early breast cancers.  If you have a mastectomy, an immediate reconstruction at the time of the cancer operation can be done.  Often this is accomplished by placing a tissue expander that is slowy increased in size to stretch the skin and tissues over the chest and make enough space to put in a new artificial breast implant a few months later.  Many plastic surgeons are now using some alloderm over the tissue expander as well to provide a surface for the new skin to grow in and also help get the area to the correct size more easily.  I have seen many patients with excellent cosmetic outcomes with this procedure.  There is really no special preparation that needs to be done before the operation.

The main considerations in deciding whether to proceed with this type of reconstruction or not are:

1) what is the chance that radiation therapy will be needed after surgery?  If it is likely that radiation will be necessary the tissue expander reconstruction route can still be done, but you need to discuss the implications of the radiation on the reconstruction with all your doctors.

2) what is the chance that you have a breast cancer susceptibiilty gene that would predispose you to getting a cancer on the other side?  Sometimes genetic testing should be done before surgery to help you decide if you should have both breasts removed and get both reconstructed at the same time.

Question 6

should i use colgate ora base for expander pain?

Accepted Answer

OrabaseB/Orajel: Orabase and orajel are emollients, carriers that adhere to your soft tissues, that carry Benzocaine to the tissues, relieving surface pain.  If you are having pain from and expander, see your orthodontist or dentist.  Expanders should be relatively painless.  Know that palatal expansion in adults, where the 2 halves of the upper jaw have fused, requires surgery.

Question 7

what will a palate expander effect?

Accepted Answer

The upper jaw width: A palate expander, also known as a "butterfly", is used to accomplish rapid palatal expansion in a child who has not finished growing. As a result, the upper jaw is wider, eliminating a potential cross bite and creating more room in the upper dental arch for the upper teeth, hopefully to avoid the need to extract normal healthy teeth. It should be performed by a trained orthodontist.

Question 8

can anyone explain a palate expander?

Accepted Answer

Appliance: Rapid palatal expanders are orthodontic appliances cemented to upper back teeth that have a screwjack. This is turned a small amount at regular intervals to separate plates of palatal bone which stimulates additional bone growth at the suture where the bony plates meet. This growth causes the palate to expand other removable appliances can accomplish the same thing.

Question 9

my palate expander broke! what should i do?

Accepted Answer

Call your doctor: Whether or not the expander is fixed or removable, you should call your doctor immediately. If the expander is fixed in the mouth, portions of it can be further fractured off  and subsequently swallowed or aspirated.

Question 10

where does the key for a palate expander go?

Accepted Answer

key hole: Should be a hole in the main apparatus that the key fits into.

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Doctor answers about:

Tissue expander leaking

A member asked:

Tell me about chemotherapy after mastectomy and tissue expander?

A member asked:

Is it safe for a 2nd tissue expander to continue expanding breast area for reconstructive surgery?

A member asked:

Is it normal to leave a breast expander in for 11 months for a breast reconstruction for a 34 b size without complications, no chemo no tissue probs?

A member asked:

What exactly does a breast reconstruction tissue expander do? it's been almost a year since my mastectomy. during my breast reconstruction consultation, my surgeon mentioned using a tissue expander to make room for my new breast. how does this work?

A member asked:

Is alloderm with a tissue expander recommended at the time that my breast cancer tumor is removed? i am a 40-year-old woman diagnosed with right breast cancer. i do want to have the same size breasts again after treatment for breast cancer. is preparation

A member asked:

Should i use colgate ora base for expander pain?

A member asked:

What will a palate expander effect?

A member asked:

Can anyone explain a palate expander?

A member asked:

My palate expander broke! what should i do?

A member asked:

Where does the key for a palate expander go?

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