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Mastectomy with Tissue Expander Questions about Mastectomy with Tissue Expander. |
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| 9/28/2011 | When will Hopkins begin to offer minimally invasive reconstruction options? In Sept. 2010 I had a unilateral mastectomy w/ axillary dissection and TE placement. This was followed by expansion and then 30 rounds of radiation. I opted to hold off reconstruction until I'd regained my health. During the past 9 months I've researched the latest in minimally-invasive recon options and have discussed my interest in these options w/ my PS at Hopkins, who in turn informed me about Dr. Roger Khouri at the Miami Breast Center and his pioneering autologous fat transfer technique using an external expander. Is there anything I can do as a patient to help facilitate adoption of this reconstruction option at Hopkins? | ||
| Replied | JHU's Breast Center Reply | ||
| 9/28/2011 | I am not really sure how to respond to this question. There are some surgeons here who will perform fat grafting as a form of reconstruction but it takes multiple procedures, and is a controversial technique. Fat grafting traditionally has been used to correct contour deformities in breasts after reconstruction, but the use of the external expander with autologous fat transfer technique is something which is still being piloted by Dr Khouri so more research is required. As a patient, there is really nothing you can do except to continue to monitor the research for updates. I hope this helps. | ||
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