July 22nd, 2010
A new device by Cytroi Therapeutics called the Celution System recently received the CE mark of approval in Europe. The Celution System represents a breakthrough in stem cell-enriched fat grafting and promises to expand the uses of autologous fat grafting to effective breast reconstruction for partial mastectomy patients.
In addition to its application for fat graft preparation in breast reconstruction, the Celution System can also be used for fat graft preparation in wound healing and cosmetic fat grafting procedures including Brazilian Butt Lift and fat injection for wrinkle treatment and facial volume restoration.
European Celution System trials
The findings of Celution’s European trials indicated six months after breast reconstruction with stem cell-enriched fat grafting, the satisfaction rate among 51 patients was 73 percent, while physicians’ satisfaction with the same patients’ results was 84 percent.
One year after stem cell-enriched fat grafting for breast reconstruction, the satisfaction rate of the first 30 trial patients was 70 percent, while physician satisfaction of the same patients’ results was 90 percent.
There is still significant research to be done on the viability of stem cell-enriched fat grafting for breast reconstruction, however these initial results look promising.
Improvements in fat graft preparation
The Celution System is also designed to be used in tandem with the PureGraft System, another Cytori device. The PureGraft System is an FDA-approved, membrane-based tissue filtration device that allows autologous fat grafts to be prepared more quickly and in greater quantities.
Compared to other fat graft preparation devices, the PureGraft System works faster, taking only 15 minutes to purify a fat graft ranging from 50 to 250 mL by removing excess and unwanted fluid, lipid, blood cells and debris in a controlled manner, which in turn improves the efficiency of the Celution System
The future of stem cell-enriched fat grafting
Although the Celution System has been approved for distribution and use in Europe, the technology will need to be further tested before it is available in the U.S. Some surgeons are already experimenting with fat grafting as a means of breast augmentation and breast reconstruction, however this is still highly experimental, and the aesthetic outcomes are far from perfected.
When performed in any cosmetic capacity, the success of fat grafting is highly dependent on the technique and skill of your doctor, so be sure to seek an experienced Houston plastic surgeon for fat injections.
May 24th, 2010
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons has joined forces with the American Society of Breast Surgeons on behalf of female breast cancer patients. By advocating the inclusion of plastic surgeons in the treatment planning process, it is hoped that breast cancer patients will get better care and surgical outcomes.
A recent meeting in NYC brought together breast cancer survivors, doctors from multiple specialties, advocacy groups, and others, to discuss best care practices for breast cancer patients. The gathering was punctuated by a sobering statistic: “Nearly 70 percent of women who are eligible for breast reconstruction are not informed of their reconstructive options by a referring physician. The number is even higher for minority women.”
Why does this matter? ASPS President Michael McGuire says that a woman’s choice to opt for breast reconstruction impacts the surgical techniques that will be selected for her. Therefore, including a plastic surgeon from the beginning of care planning is in her best interest. The Team Approach – which brings together a breast surgeon, gynecologist, radiologist, medical oncologist, and a plastic surgeon – originated in an effort to design personalized treatment plans that are put in place right away – from the time of diagnosis and through treatment and recovery.
McGuire explains the benefits for female cancer patients: “Each step of the cancer care journey requires specific medical expertise. When a team of experts works together, the outcome for patients is vastly improved.” The patient also benefits when a physician explains all of the reconstruction options at the onset of treatment.
April 26th, 2010
A new study shows that black women have to wait longer for breast cancer treatment and diagnosis, regardless of their health insurance coverage.
Records of 581 breast cancer patients were studied by researchers at the George Washington University Cancer Institute. Patients were treated at 7 hospitals and clinics between 1997 and 2009.
Diagnosis: To get a definitive diagnosis, insured black women and uninsured white women had to wait over twice as long.
Insurance: Contrary to the researcher’s expectations, insurance coverage did not even the field. Insurance coverage was not correlated with quicker diagnosis in black women.
Treatment: After diagnosis, black patients had to wait twice as long as white patients to begin breast cancer treatment.
April 19th, 2010
Microsurgical breast reconstruction is now being sought by an increasing number of breast cancer patients, according to research published in the journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
The authors surveyed more than 300 women who had undergone breast reconstruction at a single institution. Information was gathered about their age and background as well as their referral patterns and decision-making processes.
Researchers concluded that patients seeking microsurgical breast reconstruction were:
- Independent decision-makers in their health care choices
- Likely to use the Internet to learn about breast reconstruction
- More likely to seek out a reconstructive surgeon on their own
What is Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction?
Breast reconstruction procedures such as Free TRAM flap, DIEP Flap, SIEA Flap and SGAP Flap were identified as “highly sought after” amongst the group. The key difference with these procedures is the reconnection of blood vessels from the donor site to the reconstructive site.
Learn more about microsurgical breast reconstruction in Houston
January 7th, 2010
Scientists in Australia are hoping it can as they research an incredible new procedure that may facilitate breast redevelopment after a mastectomy. If the procedure is proven successful, it could replace breast reconstruction with implants.
The procedure is said to stimulate regenerative growth of breast tissue, and trials are set to begin – with real human patients – in less than 6 months.
How it Works
A biodegradable chamber is placed within the chest, containing stem cells obtained from the patient’s own fatty tissue. As the cells divide and grow, the natural fat of the breast is recreated.
Phillip Marzella from the Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery, told ABC radio that the trials were “a proof of principle trial with about five to six women just to demonstrate that the body can re-grow its own fat supply in the breast.”
It may take several years to fully develop this procedure, but scientists are optimistic about its potential to replace the current procedures in breast reconstruction, which use saline or silicone breast implants to recreate the breast after mastectomy. The science of breast reconstruction seems to be progressing rapidly in recent years, causing some writers to say we are “winning the war on breast cancer.”
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