Tissue expanders (implants)

An implant can be placed under the skin and muscle in the chest wall following a mastectomy either at the time of surgery or subsequently. The silicone device is inflatable by injecting saline (salt water) into it. By expanding the device the skin is stretched to create the extra skin required to replace that lost at mastectomy. The volume of the device will then replace the volume of the breast.

Although early results with this technique are good when appropriately selected, the complication rate is high with a progressive deterioration being noted in some patients as the body reacts adversely to the implant. There are also significant risks of device failure. Expanders still have a role in breast reconstruction but success requires careful selection and this technique is not suitable for those patients who have had radiotherapy as the risk of complications is considerably higher.