• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.49-61
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of the use of external breast prostheses among breast cancer survivors in Korea. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted, using focus groups. Data were collected from breast cancer survivors who were patients of C women's hospital in Seoul, Korea. Data were analyzed using content analysis in order to identify significant themes. Results: Participants included forty breast cancer survivors who had mastectomy as a surgical treatment. Four themes emerged from the collected data were: 1) concern over the high price of external breast prosthesis, 2) irregular use of external breast prosthesis, 3) unsatisfied with mastectomy bra, and 4) wanting to hide or not to talk about using breast prosthesis openly. Conclusion: Since most participants reported irregular use and negative experiences related to external breast prosthesis or mastectomy bra use, healthcare workers should allow more time for proper fitting and counseling and consulting with breast cancer survivors. In addition, health care providers as well as family and friends should keep in mind that cancer survivors need support that can help them cope by using positive reframing. Furthermore, improvements in the coverage of costs and services are needed for these women. This would be helpful for breast prosthesis users.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.697-706
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• 2001

There are approximately 1,000 patients who undergo mastectomies each year in Korea. However, there is no company who manufactures mastectomy brassieres and breast prosthesis in Korea. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the wearing conditions of the imported mastectomy brassieres with breast prosthesis and to develop the better-fitted and comfortable mastectomy brassieres in reasonable price. 254 patients participated in this survey. In the results of our survey, 117 out of the 254 patients were wearing mastectomy brassieres and breast prostheses, which have been imported mostly from USA. The degree of satisfaction at wearing mastectomy brassieres was low. The patients generally feel hot when wearing mastectomy brassieres, specially in summer and also pointed out the heavy weight of breast prosthesis and the discomfort in wearing mastectomy brassiere for a long period of time.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.4
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• pp.610-625
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• 2020

This study suggests an alternative breast-prosthesis-making process for female breast cancer patients. From June 2018 to July 2018, we conducted a study using nine females between the ages 40-50 who never had breast cancer. We recorded the reported subjective sensations and objective physiological responses to different types of artificial breast materials: Trulife silicon breast prostheses (TS) and hand-made silk breast prostheses (HS). Considering the materials used in TS and HS individually, we studied the subjective sensation with regards to how each material functioned in a photo (VP), movement (VM) and the visual tactility (VT) sense. The results showed that comparing VP and VT led to more significant differences than those comparing VM and VT. In addition, there was a significant difference in terms of tactile sensation when comparing TS and HS with respect to subjective responses to texture. Subjects reported that HS felt more comfortable and gave a better cooling sensation. However, the measured objective physiological responses indicated that skin temperature was higher with HS than TS when touched. This research contributes to scholarship around alternative and new materials to build breast prostheses for women with breast cancer.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.469-473
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• 2020

Breast cancer is growing rapidly year by year and has the highest incidence since 2001. As a result, the interest in mammography for early detection of breast cancer is increasing. However, mammography is accompanied by radiation exposure and therefore it is necessary to reduce exposure dose through appropriate test conditions. The significance of this study is that breast dose studies, which were limited to ordinary women, were applied to breast implant patient. Using MCNP simulation, the phantom with prosthesis inserted was developed to compare dose by tube voltage by pressure thickness. In addition phantom without prostheses has higher dose than phantom with prostheses. If these results were used as basic data, it would be possible to recommend test condition guideline only for breast implant patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.76-81
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• 2022

The number of women undergoing breast augmentation surgery with a prosthesis for cosmetic purposes or reconstruction after a mastectomy is steadily increasing. Hematoma is one of complications associated with breast augmentation surgery. It usually occurs early in the postoperative period. It rarely occurs late (after six months). However, chronic hematomas after prosthesis removal have not yet been reported in the radiological literature. We present a case of unilateral chronic organizing hematoma that developed late and grew persistently over long period after breast explantation, mimicking a soft tissue tumor of the chest wall clinically. Meanwhile, characteristic magnetic resonance imaging features of heterogeneous signal intensities on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images and dark signal intensity with a persistent enhancement of the peripheral wall of the lesion were found. These can be used for a differential diagnosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.5-18
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to suggest size specifications for the development of mastectomy bras and breast prostheses. To collect anthropometric data, 250 middle aged women's body measurement were taken and the data were analyzed by statistical methods such as ANOVA, correlation analysis, factor analysis and cluster analysis. The results of the analysis of measurement data showed that lengths. breadths, depths, circumferences are increased significantly when getting older. The results of the correlation analysis showed that there was no direct linear relationship between chest circumference and cup size. From 29 measurements, 4 factors were selected as key factors by the tractor analysis and the breast type were classified into 2 groups by cluster analysis. To set up sizing systems for the mastectomy brassiere, chest circumference and cup size were selected and the loss function was used to decide Intervals of each of them. 6 sizes from chest circumference and 4 sizes from cup sizes were picked, Breast breadth, breast length and breast height were chosen to establish sizing systems for the breast prosthesis. To decide intervals of each of them, the loss function was used and 8 sizes from composition of the 3 factors were picked.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.535-541
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• 2014

Background Patients having unilateral breast reconstruction often require a second stage procedure on the contralateral breast to improve symmetry. In order to provide immediate symmetry and minimize the frequency and extent of secondary procedures, we began performing simultaneous contralateral balancing operations at the time of initial reconstruction. This study examines the indications, safety, and efficacy of this approach. Methods One-hundred and two consecutive breast reconstructions with simultaneous contralateral balancing procedures were identified. Data included patient age, body mass index (BMI), type of reconstruction and balancing procedure, specimen weight, transfusion requirement, complications and additional surgery under anesthesia. Unpaired t-tests were used to compare BMI, specimen weight and need for non-autologous transfusion. Results Average patient age was 48 years. The majority had autologous tissue-only reconstructions (94%) and the rest prosthesis-based reconstructions (6%). Balancing procedures included reduction mammoplasty (50%), mastopexy (49%), and augmentation mammoplasty (1%). Average BMI was 27 and average reduction specimen was 340 grams. Non-autologous blood transfusion rate was 9%. There was no relationship between BMI or reduction specimen weight and need for transfusion. We performed secondary surgery in 24% of the autologous group and 100% of the prosthesis group. Revision rate for symmetry was 13% in the autologous group and 17% in the prosthesis group. Conclusions Performing balancing at the time of breast reconstruction is safe and most effective in autologous reconstructions, where 87% did not require a second operation for symmetry.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.22
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• pp.9631-9634
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• 2014

Background: : In 2012, the breast cancer estimate worldwide stood at 1.67 million new cases, these accounting for 25% of all types of cancer diagnosed in women. For 2014, 57,120 new cases are expected, with a risk estimated at 56.1 cases for every 100,000 women. The objective of this study was to analyze the satisfaction regarding the use of external breast prostheses by women undergoing mastectomy. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 76 women who used an external breast prosthesis (EBP), registered in the services of the Cuiaba Center for Comprehensive Rehabilitation, Mato Grosso, Brazil, from 2009 to 2012. Data were collected from the records of women who had requested the opening of a process of external breast prosthesis concession. Results: Satisfaction with the EBP was identified in 56.6% of the women. Those satisfied with the EBP reported that its weight was not annoying (p<0.01). Although the women felt body sensations of stitches, pains, pulling, dormancy and phantom limb, they are satisfied with the EBP. The variable related to the displacement of the breast prosthesis during activity of everyday life has demonstrated that even though the women have reported the possibility of displacements, they are satisfied with the EBP. The satisfaction with the use of external breast prosthesis did not affect the sexuality of the women with mastectomy. Conclusions: Learning the specificities of the EBP, taking into consideration the satisfaction of its use, allows the rehabilitation team, by listening to their clientele more attentively, following up this woman throughout her life journey, supporting and guiding the best way of use, with an eye to her personal, emotional and social life, as well as to her self-esteem.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.550-557
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• 2019

Background In recent years, breast implants have been frequently placed in the subcutaneous pocket, in the so-called prepectoral approach. We report our technique of prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction (IBR), as well as its surgical and aesthetic outcomes, in comparison with subpectoral IBR. We also discuss relevant considerations and pitfalls in prepectoral IBR and suggest an algorithm for the selection of patients for IBR based on our experiences. Methods We performed 79 immediate breast reconstructions with a breast implant and an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) sling, of which 47 were subpectoral IBRs and 32 were prepectoral IBRs. Two-stage IBR was performed in 36 cases (20 subpectoral, 16 prepectoral), and direct-to-implant IBR in 43 cases (27 prepectoral, 16 subpectoral). The ADM sling supplemented the inferolateral side of the breast prosthesis in the subpectoral group and covered the entire anterior surface of the breast prosthesis in the prepectoral group. Results The postoperative pain score was much lower in the prepectoral group than in the subpectoral group (1.78 vs. 7.17). The incidence of seroma was higher in the prepectoral group (31.3% vs. 6.4%). Other postoperative complications, such as surgical site infection, flap necrosis, implant failure, and wound dehiscence, occurred at similar rates in both groups. Animation deformities developed in 8.5% of patients in the subpectoral group and rippling deformities were more common in the prepectoral group (21.9% vs. 12.8%). Conclusions The indications for prepectoral IBR include moderately-sized breasts with a thick well-vascularized mastectomy flap and concomitant bilateral breast reconstruction with prophylactic mastectomy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.749-757
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• 2010

Purpose: Since skin sparing mastectomy removes the mammary gland and the nipple-areolar complex preserving all mammary skin, it makes the widespread use of implants in immediate reconstruction. This article reports our experience in immediate breast reconstruction after skin sparing mastectomy by using the silicone implants in patients especially who have small to moderate sized and minimal ptotic breast. Methods: From September of 2007 to July of 2009, we performed breast reconstruction for 44 breasts of 40 women with silicone implant after mastectomy. Tumors were divided into 5 malignant types (21 IDC, 18 DCIS, 2 ILC, 2 phylloides tumor, 1 mucinous carcinoma). The implant is placed in a submuscular pocket or in a submuscularsubfascial pocket depending upon the condition of the muscles and skin flaps after mastectomy. Results: The mean age was 47 years and the average follow-up period was 11 months. Cosmetic outcome was assessed by evaluation of photographs and assessment of breast volume and shape, breast symmetry, and overall outcome. About 80% of each of these parameters was scored as good or excellent. Breast complication was developed in a total of 6 cases including 2 capsular contracture, 2 partial skin necrosis due to blue dye injection and 2 implant infection. Conclusion: The use of definitive implants in a skin sparing mastectomy is a one-stage immediate breast reconstruction with low morbidity and acceptable result. This method is considered reliable with favorable aesthetic result.