In preparation for breast implant placement after amastectomy, a breast tissue expander may be used.
Abreast tissue expanderis an implantable, balloon-like unit used to stretch breast skin and chest wall muscles.
Though usually a safe procedure, the tissue expander has the potential of rupturing.
Verywell / Gary Ferster
This article will review the signs of tissue expander rupture and its causes.
It also addresses prevention and treatment.
How Do You Know if Your Breast Tissue Expander Has Ruptured?
The rupture of a breast tissue expander may not be all that noticeable at first.
If the rupture occurs near the bottom, you will likely experience an overall deflation of your chest cavity.
The rupture itself may not cause pain unless it was resulting from a blunt force or a puncture wound.
Rupture is not all that can go wrong with breast tissue expanders.
If a rupture is not treated promptly, an infection may develop.
If other cancer treatments are planned, a separate surgical procedure may be scheduled after additional therapies are completed.
The implants themselves are quite sturdy and designed to be left in place for months.
However, they can rupture.
but, surprisingly, they are not what many people imagine them to be.
A large breast increases the risk of rupture simply because the implant has more room for flexure.
Smooth implants are more vulnerable than textured ones because they are prone to twisting and slippage.
Obesity, older age, diabetes, smoking, orradiation therapymay slow postoperative healing and/or increase vulnerability to infection.
but these factors do not increase the risk of a tissue expander rupture.
It is important not to rush into treatment without first completing these imaging tests.
This might mean opting for a permanent implant that is slightly smaller than you had originally planned.
Preventing Breast Tissue Expander Rupture
Breast tissue expanders can rupture for any number of reasons.
Although less prone to rupture, they tend to be costly and may not be covered by your insurance.
Always speak with your health insurance company to know which costs are covered and which are not.
Remember that “more expensive” doesn’t always mean “better.”
Listen to your healthcare provider and do your homework to ensure the optimal appropriate care.
There is no minimizing the emotions you may feel.
The setback can raise doubts and fears about your mortality and/or appearance or exacerbate feelings of loss anddepression.
Share your feelings with friends, family, and your medical team.
Don’t face these or other setbacks alone.
Summary
Breast tissue expanders are used to improve outcomes for breast implants following mastectomy.
Though this procedure is often done safely and without complication, there is a risk of expander rupture.
If the expander ruptures, it deflates and the body absorbs the saline inside.
The expander will then need to be surgically removed.
Then, a new expander may need to be placed or possibly replaced with the final implant.
A breast tissue expander looks like an empty breast implant.
It is typically understood that the expander should be left in for no longer than one year.
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