Breast Reconstruction |
Breast Reconstruction is a common step many patients take following the removal of a breast due to breast cancer or
precancerous disease. Reconstruction may be done at the time of mastectomy, or any time thereafter. Immediate
reconstruction takes place directly following a mastectomy, allowing for the patient to wake after surgery with the new
breast mound in place. Options available to the patient when considering breast reconstruction range from skin expansion
and flap reconstruction to microsurgical free tissue transfer.
Skin expansion involves placing a tissue expander beneath the skin and chest muscle following a mastectomy. The tissue
expander is then gradually injected with saline solution, allowing for the skin around it to stretch and grow to the
desired dimension. Once the desired dimension is achieved, a surgical procedure is performed to remove the tissue expander
and replace it with a permanent implant.
Autogenous tissue reconstruction uses the patients own tissues to form the new breast. The most commonly used donor site
is the lower abdominal area (TRAM or transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap) and the back (latissimus dorsi
myocutaneous flap). Free flap reconstruction is another option when considering breast reconstruction. In this instance,
tissue from another area of the body is removed and put in place of the once existent breast tissue. Donor sites for flap
reconstruction often include the abdomen, buttocks, thigh, or back.
Autogenous reconstruction usually requires more time in hospital and more time for recovery and usually gives more
natural-appearing results than tissue expansion. |
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| Breast Reduction |
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Breast Reduction, reduction mammaplasty, is the procedure that reduces the size of large breasts. Symptoms often
encountered with such patients include chronic back pain, skin irritation, shoulder and neck pain, and social distress.
The goal in this procedure is to reform the breasts making them more proportional to the individual's body, resulting in
lighter, smaller, and firmer breasts. |
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| Gynecomastia |
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Gynecomastia is an excessive growth of glandular tissue within the breasts of some males. This condition affects an
estimated 40 to 60 percent of the male population and can be treated through breast reduction surgery. This procedure
involves the excision of glandular tissue and in some cases is accomplished with liposuction. |
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| Cancer Surgery |
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Cancer surgery is primarily related to skin, head and neck cancer problems. Tumors of the mouth, throat, and skin can be
removed as well as subsequent defects reconstructed. Where reconstruction is required, regaining both form and function is
the ultimate goal and can be accomplished in many cases through microsurgery. By using microsurgical techniques during the
reconstructive process, skin and muscle can be successfully transferred from one area of the body and made functional when
placed in their new site. |
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| Wound Care Center |
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Patients with wounds of various etiologies may seek treatment in our Wound Care Center. Patients are evaluated and a
treatment is customized to fit the patient's needs. Depending on the nature of the wound there are both surgical options
and nonsurgical options available for treatment. In cases where there surgery is indicated, the patient's wound is prepared
and the different surgical options are explained. Such surgical options include skin grafting, microsurgery, and local or
regional flaps. |
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| Hand Surgery |
Hand surgery encompasses all aspects of upper extremity surgery. In many cases, Plastic Surgeons are able to restore both
form and function to patients with congenital and acquired defects of the hand. Commonly treated congenital defects include
webbed fingers (syndactyly), extra fingers
(polydactyly), and missing or deformed fingers. Commonly treated
acquired defects include hand amputation, carpal tunnel, Dupuytren?s contracture, rheumatoid arthritis, and
osteoarthritis. |
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| Tissue Expansion |
Tissue Expansion is performed to promote the growth of healthy supplementary skin which may be used for the replacement
of damaged skin. This reconstructive procedure is an option for almost any area of the body, allowing plastic surgeons to
repair skin damaged by both congenital and acquired defects.
Tissue expansion is done by placing a balloon-like prosthesis (expander) beneath the skin adjacent to the damaged region.
Over a period of time, the expander is filled with saline solution causing the skin around it to grow and stretch. Once the
new skin has reached the size required to repair the defect, the tissue expander is removed and the new skin is
redistributed, replacing the damaged area of skin. Tissue expansion is especially useful when hair/scalp restoration is
required or when color and texture matching of skin is very critical. |
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| Scar Revision |
| Surgery Scar revision is for patients with scars originating from injury or surgery. Depending on the qualities of the
scar, revision may improve both form and function. Examples of scars most commonly treated include: hypertrophic scars,
keloid scars, and contracted scars. Hypertrophic scars occur within the boundaries of the incision or wound and are generally
thick, red, and raised in appearance. Keloid scars are somewhat similar in appearance to hypertrophic scars, and generally
grow beyond the boundaries of the incision or wound. Keloids are commonly found on the earlobe, shoulder, and over the
breastbone; they appear most commonly in dark-skinned individuals. |
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