Silly question about breast reconstruction

Suezoled

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Sep 20, 2003
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Someone mentioned on a whim (okay okay, it was me) that if people could donate organs to others, would be it be possible for someone to find a match in terms of adipose tissue to help reconstruct a breast after a mastetomy?

I've been trying to look but the only things I can come up with are "web filtered" at work.
And I"m going to bed now at 12:30am.
 
In theory, it should not be too great a problem to transplant a breast. The problem is that all implans tend to be rejected, even if there is an excellent tisue type match. For this reason, people with implants need life-long treatment with immuniodepressive drugs, with all that entails. So I don't expect that many people would want that for what is, after all, a cosmetic problem (albeit a serious one, for many). And I don't think you'd find a lot of doctors willing to do it.

Hans
 
The problem with transposing adipose tissue is really one of blood supply. Think about it: why wouldn't you just transpose fat from some part of your own body where it isn't wanted (e.g., buttocks) to the breast? Allografting (i.e., donating from someone else) would only complicate matters.

When fat is injected, and it cannot form an adequate blood supply, it is simply resorbed. You also run the risk of some of the fat actually establishing a blood supply, and thus forming lumpy parts. The last thing a woman wants, I think, would be saggy, lumpy breasts after a mastectomy.

There are already some pretty neat techniques in post-cancer reconstruction surgery (like abdominal flaps) not to mention standard implants.

-TT
 
Thanks for the replies. I had the same thoughts about rejection in terms of donated tissues, as well as how the fat would survive once placed.
I just know that several women I've spoke with mention it's very painful to go through the chest expanders and then get the implants only to have them taken out for reasons of rejection or other complications.
So, I just wondered.
 
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