Breast reconstruction occurs during a two-step surgical procedure that begins with the placement of a breast tissue expander that is followed several months later with a breast implant, according to the website Mentor. A surgeon usually inserts the breast tissue expander at the time of a mastectomy, but in some cases insertion is delayed until months or years after the procedure. A breast tissue expander consists of a deflated breast implant inserted into a pocket in the chest cavity and slowly inflated to make room for a future breast implant.
Infection
A common complication associated with a breast tissue expander is infection. An infection can occur when bacteria that normally resides on the surface of the skin enters the incision site and spreads to various parts of the body. Vancouver Coastal Health states that treatment for these infections generally consists of antibiotics, but if the infection persists, patients should have the implant removed and delay reconstructive surgery for at least 3 months.
Capsular Contracture
Women who receive breast tissue expanders may experience capsular contracture or hardened scar tissue around the expander, according to Vancouver Coastal Health. After expander insertion, fibrous scar tissue may harden or tighten around the tissue expander, changing the shape of it. The expander may feel hard when touched owing to the inflexible scar tissue that has formed around it, according to Reconstructive Breast Surgery. In some cases, patients may need to have the expander removed and replaced with a new one.
Pressure and Pain
A common complication associated with breast tissue expansion is pressure and pain. When the surgeon initially inserts the tissue expander, it is deflated, but approximately two weeks after the procedure, the surgeon will insert fluid into the expander, causing it to inflate, according to the website Mentor. Some women may experience pressure, tightness or mild pain as the expander inflates. The discomfort usually subsides fairly quickly, but the pressure may last for a week or more. The website Mentor states that tissue expansion requires several fluid insertions and lasts for approximately four to six months.
Leakage
Some women may experience leaks in their silicone-based breast tissue expanders, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. A breast tissue expander contains a saltwater solution called saline. When the expander breaks or leaks, the body absorbs the saline but the expander must be replaced in a relatively minor surgical procedure.
