How can you tell if a tissue expander is infected?

Sometimes a bacterial infection can develop in the tissue around a breast implant or tissue expander during the days or weeks following the reconstruction surgery. Symptoms of an infection can include a high fever and breast pain, redness and/or swelling.

Can a tissue expander get infected?

A small percentage of patients develop an infection around the expander. While this may occur at any time, it’s most often seen within a few weeks after the expander is inserted. In some cases, the expander may need to be removed for several months until the infection clears. A new expander can then be inserted.

Can tissue expanders cause cancer?

Allergan is recalling BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders due to the potential risk for breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL).

Are tissue expanders safe?

Introduction: Ferromagnetic port-containing breast tissue expanders are currently labeled MRI-unsafe because of the presumption that magnets should not enter the machine. However, designating these devices as MRI-unsafe can lead to unnecessary procedures or suboptimal imaging choices.

Can tissue expanders burst?

As with all surgical devices, breast tissue expanders come with certain risks, the most common being ruptures and leaks. Although a rupture is not considered a medical emergency, it requires an immediate response and, more often than not, surgical replacement of the device.

How long can tissue expanders be left in?

Once you are happy with your breast size, the tissue expander will be left in place for a few weeks for maximal tissue expansion. The earliest your reconstruction surgery can be performed is three weeks after your final expansion visit.

How do you deal with tissue expander pain?

NSAIDs: A 2017 study in Cancer Control reported that taking a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) likes Advil (ibuprofen) or Aleve (naproxen) at 30 minutes before each fill and again a few hours afterward can usually provide sufficient pain relief during tissue expansion.

Why are tissue expanders so painful?

The tissue expansion process is done after mastectomies to increase the submuscular space in preparation for the placement of permanent breast implant. The process is often believed to be painful by patients who are often intimidated by the prospect of mechanically stretching out their skin and muscle.

How long does tissue expander stay in?

A tissue expander is an empty breast implant that your surgeon will fill with normal saline over about 6 to 8 weeks until it reaches the breast size that you and your surgeon decided on.

What does the Aeroform tissue expander do for You?

The AeroForm Tissue Expander. The AeroForm Tissue Expander was recently approved by the FDA as a replacement for tissue expansion via saline injections. The device resembles the shape of an implant. It contains a CO2 cartridge and a receiver that receives instructions from a remote control.

What are the benefits of the Aeroform system?

The main benefit of the AeroForm system is that no needles are involved. For many breast reconstruction patients, they have had to accept the fact that they will have to return to the doctor’s office over the course of several months and have a nurse practitioner or doctor inject their breast with a needle.

How does an expander in a breast implant work?

The expander resides in the chest cavity of the patient and is used to expand and stretch the skin and muscle to make enough room for an implant. In order to stretch the skin and muscle, a nurse practitioner will inject a salt-water solution through the skin and into the expander so that it gradually fills over a few weeks or months.