Enhancement of the lumpectomy breast:

Fat grafting is becoming widely used in breast surgery. Fat is liposuctioned from one part of the patient’s body, purified and then injected into the breast to restore volume and correct the contour deformity created by the lumpectomy. Studies have also shown that once the injected fat “takes”, it can also help improve the thickness and quality of radiation-damaged tissue and skin. Since most lumpectomy patients also have radiation, fat grafting can therefore be quite beneficial.

Some surgeons prefer to use a small implant instead of fat grating to restore volume. This can work very well in patients who have not had radiation. However, the risk of future implant-associated complications, particularly hardening (known as capsular contracture), is much higher in patients who have had radiation.

A “flap” of tissue, usually from the back, can also be used to fill in larger contour defects of the outer and central breast. These flaps have traditionally used part of the back muscle and overlying skin and fat (latissimus flap). Newer techniques preserve the muscle and transfer only some of the overlying skin and fat (eg TDAP flap). Flaps from other parts of the body can also be used if more volume is needed to achieve the desired breast size for the best symmetry.

Enhancement of both breasts:

Implants can be used to enhance the size of both breasts. Usually this will involve placing a larger implant in the lumpectomy side. Again, it is very important to realize that there is an increased risk of implant-related problems (particularly capsular contracture) in patients who have radiation therapy after their lumpectomy.