title: Extra-projected implants as an alternative surgical model for breast reconstruction. Implantation strategy and early results.
abstract: The present study reports on patients who underwent breast reconstructions with extra-projection implants. Two-hundred and thirty-four women were treated for 238 breast reconstructions irrespectively of breast shape and size. In this series we aimed to reconstruct for all women a bilateral cosmetic medium-size breast (between 400 and 500 cc), highly projected, with a little to moderate ptosis rather then a ptotic one exactly matching the contra-lateral. This is demonstrated by volume of implants that ranged from 397 cc for ladies with small breast who received an augmentation, to 533 cc for those who side required a reduction surgery. Eighty-six percent of patients received contra-lateral procedures. Complication rate was 8.4% and 66% of reconstructions were rated as good in the patients' opinion. Extra-projection implants, coupled with contra-lateral breast surgery, provide a good aesthetic outcome and avoid myocutaneous flaps only on the basis of breast size and shape.
authors.affiliation: Plastic Surgery Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Nazionale dei Tumori, Via Venezian 1o, 20133 Milan, Italy. maurizio.nava@istitutotumori.mi.it
authors.forename: Maurizio B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Nava
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spano
authors.forename: Pierfrancesco
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cadenelli
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Colombetti
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Menozzi
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pennati
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Catanuto
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019928:Breast Implantation; D018427:Breast Implants; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome