Prepectoral Techniques in Reconstructive Breast Surgery

"Prepectoral techniques place tissue expanders under the skin on top of the pectoralis muscle. The tissue expanders are in essence temporary implants. Tissue expanders are left in place in this position during a recovery period of approximately two months -- during which the chest skin heals, blood supply replenishes, and the expanders are gradually inflated to stretch the skin. The patient returns for an outpatient surgical procedure to replace the tissue expanders with permanent breast implants. In addition to excellent cosmetic results, the technique is likely to improve clinical outcomes as evidenced by ongoing research that shows women who undergo this procedure experience less pain and a shorter recovery period"--Provided by publisher.