• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.26-30
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• 2010

Purpose: Common complications of immediate breast reconstruction with implant are capsular contracture, malposition of implant, hematoma and seroma. Especially, the most severe complication is implant exposure caused by inflammation or necrosis of skin flap margin of mastectomy site. This article reports the experience of cases of salvage in such an exposure of implant. Methods: From July, 2002 to Feb., 2009, sixty-five patients who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with implant were retrospectively analyzed. Exposure of implant was happened in 5 of 65 patients and they were treated at out patient district. Two of five patients were reconstructed with saline implnt and all of them underwent the enveloping of the implant with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$ and Serratus muscle flap. Remaning three patients were reconstructed with silicone implant and all of them underwent the enveloping of the implant with AlloDerm$^{(R)}$. Results: In the group of patients who underwent reconstruction with saline implant, implant exposure was found in one patient due to partial necrosis of the margin of skin flap and debridement and primary repair were done. In the other one patient, dressing with antibiotic ointment were done. And debridement and primary repair were proceeded. In the group of patients who underwent reconstruction with silicone implant, implant exposure was found in one patient. After removal of the implant, tissue expansion was done and a new silicone implant was inserted. Implant exposure were found in the other two patients, antibiotics ointment application and primarily repaired. Conclusion: It was the common knowledge that the exposed implant should be removed. But salvage of the exposed implants may be possible with proper treatment. Four of five patients (80%) with exposed breast implant were salvaged with conservative management.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.622-627
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• 2007

Purpose: Although the autogenous tissue transfer has been the mainstay of the breast reconstruction, concern for the donor site morbidity can lead to the superseded method using tissue expander with implant or permanent expander-implant. However, the additional procedure of tissue expansion possibly cause discomfort and raise the cost. We tried to verify the efficacy of using the saline-filled breast implant by itself for the safe and convenient immediate breast reconstruction modality if the patients have small, round and non-ptotic breasts and the sufficient breast skin can be saved with mastectomy. Methods: From July 2002 to July 2005, 29 breasts of 26 patients were restored only with the saline-filled breast implant immediately after the skin sparing or nipple-areolar skin sparing mastectomy in Asan Medical Center. A pocket with pectoralis major and serratus anterior muscle was created and the implant was covered with this muscle pocket. Simultaneous contralateral augmentation was performed in patients whose mastectomy specimen weighed less than 100g. Results: Using only the saline-filled breast implant resulted in the successful reconstruction with few complications including partial necrosis of nipple areolar skin (five cases, 17.2%), capsular contracture (three cases, 10.3%), hematoma (one case, 3.4%), depigmentation of areolar skin (one case, 3.4%), hypertrophic scar (one case, 3.4%), which were all healed by conservative management. There were no significant complications such as implant exposure and subsequent removal. Conclusion: Immediate breast reconstruction only with the saline-filled breast implant can be a satisfactory alternative option for the patients whose breast is small, round and non-ptotic, especially when the nipple-areolar skin of the breast is preserved in the mastectomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.529-534
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• 2014

Background In 2012, a new anatomic breast implant of form-stable silicone gel was introduced onto the Korean market. The intended use of this implant is in the area of aesthetic breast surgery, and many reports are promising. Thus far, however, there have been no reports on the use of this implant for breast reconstruction in Korea. We used this breast implant in breast reconstruction surgery and report our early experience. Methods From November 2012 to April 2013, the Natrelle Style 410 form-stable anatomically shaped cohesive silicone gel-filled breast implant was used in 31 breasts of 30 patients for implant breast reconstruction with an acellular dermal matrix. Patients were treated with skin-sparing mastectomies followed by immediate breast reconstruction. Results The mean breast resection volume was 240 mL (range, 83-540 mL). The mean size of the breast implants was 217 mL (range, 125-395 mL). Breast shape outcomes were considered acceptable. Infection and skin thinning occurred in one patient each, and hematoma and seroma did not occur. Three cases of wound dehiscence occurred, one requiring surgical intervention, while the others healed with conservative treatment in one month. Rippling did not occur. So far, complications such as capsular contracture and malrotation of breast implant have not yet arisen. Conclusions By using anatomic breast implants in breast reconstruction, we achieved satisfactory results with aesthetics better than those obtained with round breast implants. Therefore, we concluded that the anatomical implant is suitable for breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.557-562
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• 2023

Augmentation mammoplasty is one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries, but there is a high reoperation rate (29.7%) commonly due to capsular contracture, implant malpositioning, infection, and unsatisfactory size. Although infection only accounts for 2% of cases, its management is very challenging, especially with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection. Breast prosthetic NTM infection is a rare but is a disastrous condition with an incidence of approximately 0.013%. Immediate salvage reimplantation is usually not suggested, and most studies recommend a gap of 3 to 6 months after combination antibiotics therapy before reimplantation. However, delayed reimplantation often leads to great psychological stress and struggle between the doctor and patient. We present the case report of successful reimplantation in treating prosthetic NTM infections in a 28-year-old female. We discuss a novel technique "transaxillary capsulorrhaphy" to correct the bottoming-out deformity. One year after the combination of antibiotics and surgery, the follow-up computed tomography scan showed complete remission of NTM without recurrence. We discuss the surgical technique in detail. The 1-year follow-up assessment (photos and dynamic video) revealed good cosmesis and reliable correction using the new technique. This report is the first formal description and discussion of one-stage reimplantation following NTM infections. Transaxillary capsulorrhaphy allows for a successful salvage operation when an implant is displaced. This approach provides highly favorable result in eastern women undergoing revision augmentation mammoplasty. This study reflects level of evidence V, considering opinions of respected authorities based on clinical experience, descriptive studies, or reports of expert committees.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.29-32
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• 2009

Purpose: Introduction of the mammary implant through the abdominal route has been well known since late 1960s, but the use of transabdominal route for contralateral breast augmentation in transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM) flap breast reconstruction patients has not been reported in Korean literature. The authors report their experience with technical points as well as the selection of the appropriate patients. Methods: Simultaneous contralateral augmentation mammaplasty through transabdominal route was performed in 11 patients who underwent TRAM breast reconstruction from August 2003 to May 2008 with a mean follow up of 27 months. The pocket was created under direct vision: 3 subglandular, 7 subpectoral, and 1 dual plane was dissected. Eight saline and 3 silicone gel implants were used with an average volume of 165 cc. Results: There were no complications such as infection, hematoma, implant displacement, and capsular contracture. The result was well maintained throughout the follow up period. Conclusion: Transabdominal route could be recommended in selected patients for contralateral augmentation in TRAM breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.703-706
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• 2011

Purpose: Augmentation mammoplasty by cohesive silicone gel implant is becoming more popular nowadays. Many types of complications have been reported, such as hematoma, seroma, infection, capsular contracture and etc. But there were no report of deep vein thrombosis(DVT) after augmentation mammoplasty in Korea. The authors experienced one case of DVT after augmentation mammoplasty using a cohesive silicone gel implant. Methods: A 38-year-old woman with breast cancer underwent reconstruction by tissue expander and augmentation mammoplasty by cohesive silicone gel implant, and exchange of expander to cohesive silicone gel implant. The operation was finished without any complicating event. On 4th day after the operation, the patient complained of intermittent right lower leg pain. By doppler ultrasonography, the patient was diagnosed with acute venous thrombosis of the popliteal vein, posterior tibial vein and peroneal vein. Results: Intravenous heparinization and oral warfarin were started immediately and elastic compression stocking was applied. Intravenous heparinization was continued until INR (blood coagulation unit) reached to target levels. The patient was discharged on 11th day of operation with oral warfarin. Other complication has not been reported after 10 weeks of operation. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of DVT after silicone implant based breast augmentation.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.374-379
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• 2013

Background To date, various types of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) have been developed for clinical use. AlloDerm is the most familiar type of ADM to most surgeons in breast reconstruction. It is prepared by freeze-drying. CG CryoDerm is the first form of ADM that requires no drying process. Therefore, theoretically, it has a higher degree of preservation of the dermal structures than AlloDerm. We conducted this study to compare the clinical course and postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent direct-to-implant breast reconstructions using AlloDerm and those who did using CG CryoDerm. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of the medical records in a consecutive series of 50 patients who underwent direct-to-implant breast reconstruction using AlloDerm (n=31) or CryoDerm (n=19). We then compared the clinical course and postoperative outcomes of the two groups based on the overall incidence of complications and the duration of drainage. Results The mean follow-up period was 16 months. There were no significant differences in the overall incidence of complications (seroma, infection, skin flap necrosis, capsular contracture, and implant loss) between the two groups. Nor was there any significant difference in the duration of drainage. Conclusions CG CryoDerm has the merits of short preparation time and easy handling during surgery. Our results indicate that CG CryoDerm might be an alternative allograft material to AlloDerm in direct-to-implant breast reconstruction.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.749-757
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• 2010

Purpose: Since skin sparing mastectomy removes the mammary gland and the nipple-areolar complex preserving all mammary skin, it makes the widespread use of implants in immediate reconstruction. This article reports our experience in immediate breast reconstruction after skin sparing mastectomy by using the silicone implants in patients especially who have small to moderate sized and minimal ptotic breast. Methods: From September of 2007 to July of 2009, we performed breast reconstruction for 44 breasts of 40 women with silicone implant after mastectomy. Tumors were divided into 5 malignant types (21 IDC, 18 DCIS, 2 ILC, 2 phylloides tumor, 1 mucinous carcinoma). The implant is placed in a submuscular pocket or in a submuscularsubfascial pocket depending upon the condition of the muscles and skin flaps after mastectomy. Results: The mean age was 47 years and the average follow-up period was 11 months. Cosmetic outcome was assessed by evaluation of photographs and assessment of breast volume and shape, breast symmetry, and overall outcome. About 80% of each of these parameters was scored as good or excellent. Breast complication was developed in a total of 6 cases including 2 capsular contracture, 2 partial skin necrosis due to blue dye injection and 2 implant infection. Conclusion: The use of definitive implants in a skin sparing mastectomy is a one-stage immediate breast reconstruction with low morbidity and acceptable result. This method is considered reliable with favorable aesthetic result.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.545-552
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• 2008

Purpose: The transaxillary approach for breast augmentation has been advocated for patients and surgeons for several decades. However, this blind technique had many disadvantages including, traumatic dissection, difficult hemostasis, displacement of implants, and ill-defined asymmetrical location of inframammary crease. In the present study, the precise endoscopic electrocautery dissection was applied to eliminate the limits of blunt dissection throughout the procedures. Methods: From December 2006 to December 2007, a total of 103 patients with an average age of 29.5 years underwent endoscopic assisted transaxillary dual plane augmentation mammoplasty. The mean implant size was 243 cc with the range between 150 and 350 cc. Through a 4 cm axillary incision, electrocautery dissection for submuscular pockets was carried out under the endoscopic control. The costal origin of pectoralis muscle was completely divided to expose subcutaneous tissue and to make type I dual plane. Results: Using the endoscopic dissection, we achieved good aesthetic results including a short recovery period, less morbidity, and symmetrical well-defined inframammary crease. Type I dual plane procedure could support the consistent inframammary fold shape and be applied to most patients without breast ptosis. Minor complications did not occur, however, four major complications of capsular contracture occurred. Conclusion: In contrast to the era of the blind techniques, endoscopic assisted transaxillary dual plane breast augmentation can now be performed effectively and reproducibly. With Its advantage, the axillary application of endoscopy for augmentation mammaplasty is useful to achieve the optimal cosmetic outcomes.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.140-145
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• 2020

Background Capsular contracture is a common complication of two-stage expander/implant breast reconstruction. To minimize the risk of this complication, capsulectomy is performed using monopolar cautery or ultrasonic surgical instrumentation, the latter of which can be conducted with a Harmonic scalpel. To date, there is disagreement regarding which of the two methods is superior. The purpose of this study was to compare postoperative outcomes between a group of patients who underwent surgery using a Harmonic scalpel and another group treated with monopolar cautery. Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of patients who underwent capsulectomy as part of two-stage breast reconstruction between January 2018 and February 2019 and who received at least 1 month of follow-up after surgery. Operative time and postoperative outcomes, including drainage duration, were analyzed. Results In total, 36 female patients underwent capsulectomy. The monopolar group consisted of 18 patients and 22 breasts, while the Harmonic scalpel group consisted of 18 patients and 21 breasts. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics between the two groups. The Harmonic scalpel group had a significantly shorter mean drainage duration (6.65 days vs. 7.36 days) and a smaller mean total drainage volume (334.69 mL vs. 433.54 mL) than the monopolar cautery group (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed with regard to seroma or hematoma formation. Conclusions The Harmonic scalpel approach for capsulectomy reduced the total drainage volume and drainage duration compared to the monopolar cautery approach. Therefore, this approach could serve as a good alternative to electrocautery.