US study provides evidence for the safety of autologous fat transfer (lipofilling) in breast reconstruction after breast cancer
Vienna (2016-05-10) — Up to now women who suffered from form deviations after tumor removal for breast cancer treatment mostly have had silicone implants inserted for breast reconstruction reasons. A breast reconstruction with the body’s own fat and stem cells is an alternative which can do without implanted foreign body and further scars and enables a natural result. Now a study published in the February issue of the US medical journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery confirms the safety of breast reconstruction with body fat.
“With stem cell-enriched autologous fat the desire of many women concerned to have a natural breast reconstructed in a rapid and gentle way after a weathered tumor removal can be fulfilled,” says DDr. Karl-Georg Heinrich, physician from Vienna who is working in the field of aesthetic surgery and regenerative medicine. In his Clinic DDr. Heinrich® stem cell-enriched autologous fat is also used for correction of breast asymmetries, breast construction after removal of silicone implants, and breast augmentation.
In the US study more than 1,000 cases of partial or total breast removals (719 breasts due to breast cancer, 305 healthy breasts of patients with benign diseases or a higher genetic risk to develop breast cancer) and subsequent breast reconstruction with autologous fat were compared to a group of women in which breast reconstruction with autologous fat after cancer-related breast removal did not take place (670 breasts). The average follow-up period of patients with breast reconstruction with autologous fat after removal of the breast due to breast cancer was 60 months.
The pleasant result: Breast reconstruction with autologous fat does not have an influence on the frequency of reoccurrence of the cancerous disease. Thus the study is a further proof for the safety of autologous fat transfer into the breast.
DDr. Heinrich describes the process performed in his clinic as follows: The body fat needed for the breast reconstruction with autologous fat and stem cells is obtained by a tissue-conserving liposuction, which is performed in precise handwork using microcannulas. Immediately afterwards the autologous fat is either injected directly or after stem cell enrichment into the breast region to be reconstructed. The entire procedure takes place on an outpatient basis and under local anesthesia. Thus both the hospitalization and the risks of a general anesthesia, which are commonly needed in case of breast reconstruction with silicone implants, are eliminated. Depending on the initial situation several interventions can be required for an optimal result.
Experiences from Japan where this technique was originally developed and used and investigated for years are showing how satisfied women concerned are with the result of a breast reconstruction with stem cell-enriched autologous fat (Cell-Assisted Lipotransfer, CAL). According to the local study leader the satisfaction rate is around 87 percent after a ten-year observation period.
Stem cell-enriched autologous fat is a natural and safe filling material which is besides breast shaping also suitable for an optimization of the body silhouette of the buttock, hips, thighs, and calves, as well as for skin regeneration in facial or other body areas. Even dents after liposuction or tissue defects after accidents and surgeries can be corrected with stem cell-enriched autologous fat.
Further information: http://stemcellbreastaugmentation.info/
Contact:
Clinic DDr. Heinrich®
Contact: Herfried Wagner
E-mail: info@ddrheinrich.com
Web: http://ddrheinrich.com/
Phone: +43 1 532 18 01