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Breast reconstruction implants are used when breasts are reconstructed after a surgery or accident or if they are congenital. Most patients have some skin remaining after mastectomy which needs to be stretched and expanded to make room for implants. To make this possible, the surgeon inserts a balloon type device called the tissue expander under the chest muscle. This has a port, which is made of metal, or plastic through which a liquid is introduced to blow it and thus increasing the size of the skin. Once the desired expansion is done, the expander is replaced by an implant, which stays in the breast.
Implants are inserted in the breasts through an incision to reconstruct the breasts. Breast implants involve very less surgery among all the reconstruction options. The placement of the implant needs the skill of an experienced surgeon who will make it possible to make the breast look as normal as possible. The implant generally consists of a silicone shell, which may be filled with saline or silica gel. Silica gel usage was under a cloud for some time as it was not considered suitable in the event of a leakage but now the restrictions have been lifted.
Saline is considered to be safe to be used in an implant as any leakage gets absorbed in the blood stream and the tissues and causes no problem. However silicone gel being viscous, thick, and sticky is more like human fat, which is the large component of a human breast. It is more consistent, smooth and gives the breast a more natural look; hence many prefer it to other liquids. Saline is not compressible and gives a firm impression, as it feels hard and unnatural. Newer techniques have almost solved this problem. Breast implants may interfere with radiation therapies or investigative techniques, usually employed after mastectomy surgeries.
Breast reconstruction implants are like implants used for other plastic surgeries involving the breast. They sometimes harden or shift form their place or become a problem. In such cases they may have to be replaced. The replacement of breast implants is simpler and does not have as many recovery problems as the first surgery. Newer and better models of implants enter the market and each one is better than the earlier one. To select an implant especially in a reconstruction case needs proper research and study. Consulting a proper plastic surgeon is the answer to solve this problem. |
