Primary Breast Surgery
Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (TM) is not indicated for use in primary breast enhancement surgeries. The following information on primary breast surgeries is provided as background information only in order to help explain some of the primary procedures that can precede revision surgery. In certain situations where additional support to the breast tissue is required in a revision surgery, Strattice™ TM, acting as a supportive surgical mesh, may be one option for some patients.
Aesthetic breast enhancement surgery procedures such as breast augmentation with breast implants, breast lifts, and breast reductions have enabled women to enhance and reshape their breasts. These procedures may improve appearance and alter body image, increasing self-esteem and promoting self confidence.
Breast Augmentation
Breast enlargement, technically known as augmentation mammaplasty, is an elective surgical procedure to enhance the size of a woman's breasts by the insertion of a breast implant behind the existing breast tissue. Breast implants may be placed either partially under the pectoralis (chest) muscle (referred to as submuscular placement) or they may be placed on top of the muscle directly under the breast gland(referred to as subglandular placement).
Breast implant placement and size are considered in consultation with the patient following careful examination and evaluation by a plastic surgeon and are determined by several factors such as skin elasticity and the amount of existing breast tissue. Primary breast augmentation surgery is also done to improve breast contour and symmetry.
Breast Lift
Many factors such as pregnancy, breast feeding, and the passing of time can cause the breasts to lose their firmness, shape, volume, and skin elasticity. Breast lift, technically known as a mastopexy, is an elective surgical procedure to raise and reshape sagging breasts. The size of the areola, the dark skin that surrounds the nipple, also may be reduced in size during the breast lift procedure.
If your breasts are small, have lost volume, or have lost skin elasticity, breast implants can be inserted in conjunction with breast lift surgery to increase breast size and firmness. Careful examination and evaluation by your surgeon is required to determine if you are a candidate for breast lift surgery.
Breast Reduction
Breast reduction, technically known as a reduction mammaplasty, is a surgical procedure designed for women with large, pendulous breasts which may cause a variety of medical problems and self-consciousness. The breast reduction procedure removes fat, glandular (breast) tissue, and skin from the breasts to make them smaller and lighter.
Because the weight of the breast tissue is often more than the skin envelope can support, the integrity of the breast skin is compromised and desired firmness may not be able to be achieved, even if the breasts are reduced in size. The size of the areola (the dark skin that surrounds the nipple) may be reduced during a breast reduction procedure.
Both breast lift and breast reduction surgery typically leave noticeable scars on the lower portion of the breasts which may fade with the passing of time and are covered by most bras and bathing suit tops.
A Note on Secondary Surgery
In some cases, additional breast enhancement surgery procedures will need to be performed to achieve a woman's ideal breast appearance. Complications can develop soon after a primary breast surgery procedure, or a woman may want smaller or larger breast implants over time. And, of course, a woman's breasts naturally will change shape and contour as the body ages.
For these and other reasons, women may consider a secondary or revision breast surgery procedure. Advanced technologies are helping surgeons improve outcomes for women choosing revision procedures, and your surgeon may recommend the use of a product such as Strattice™ Reconstructive Tissue Matrix to provide additional support to the breast tissue and help maintain surgical results.
