Lightweight implants in breast reconstruction

Heine, Norbert and Brebant, Vanessa and Seitz, Stephan and Eigenberger, Andreas and Prantl, Lukas and Tessmann, Vanessa (2023) Lightweight implants in breast reconstruction. CLINICAL HEMORHEOLOGY AND MICROCIRCULATION, 84 (1). pp. 103-109. ISSN 1386-0291, 1875-8622

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Since the first use of silicone implants by Cronin in 1962, there have been several attempts to introduce alternative filling materials for breast implants on the market. A promising new development are lightweight implants, whose filler material is one third lighter than conventional silicone gel. While these implants have been used primarily for aesthetic augmentation, a benefit could be expected particularly in post-mastectomy reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Since 2019, 92 operations using lightweight implants have been performed at our clinic, 61 of them for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. These have been compared to 92 breast reconstructions using conventional silicone implants. RESULTS: The average volume of the lightweight implants was 30% higher than of the conventional implants (452 ml resp. 347 ml), whereas the implant weight was comparable in both groups (317 g resp. 347 g). Grade 3-4 capsular fibrosis was seen in 6 cases in both groups; revision was required 9 times (lightweight implants) and 7 times (conventional silicone implants) during the follow-up period. DISCUSSION: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the use of lightweight implants in breast reconstruction. With exception of the filler material, the implants used in the two groups were comparable in shape and surface. The inserted lightweight implants had a greater volume but nearly the same weight as the conventional implants and were used in patients with a higher body mass index. Thus, lightweight implants were preferred in patients whose reconstruction required a larger implant volume. CONCLUSION: Lightweight implants are a new alternative for breast reconstruction especially in case that larger implant volume is demanded. The increased complication rate has to be verified in further studies.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: AUGMENTATION; ULTRASOUND; Breast cancer; breast reconstruction; lightweight implants
Subjects: 600 Technology > 610 Medical sciences Medicine
Divisions: Medicine > Lehrstuhl für Frauenheilkunde und Geburtshilfe (Schwerpunkt Frauenheilkunde)
Medicine > Zentren des Universitätsklinikums Regensburg > Zentrum für Plastische-, Hand- und Wiederherstellungschirurgie
Depositing User: Dr. Gernot Deinzer
Date Deposited: 07 Mar 2024 17:28
Last Modified: 07 Mar 2024 17:28
URI: https://pred.uni-regensburg.de/id/eprint/59030

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