[Tolerance of pre-expansion BRAVA and fat grafting into the breast]

Abstract

Introduction: Fat grafting is very interesting for breast reconstruction and for breast deformities. Fat grafting can improve results with a long-standing follow-up. Pre-expansion with BRAVA® can be a powerful tool for recipient site improvement. The aim of this study is to evaluate tolerance of BRAVA by the patient.

Material and methods: We do realize a prospective study with fat grafting into the breast surgery. Recipient site was prepared with BRAVA®: 4 weeks before surgical procedure, and 2 weeks after surgical procedure. Fat was harvested, centrifugated, and injected into breast reconstructions or breast augmentation. Following items were noticed by the patient after they wear BRAVA: pain, noise, sleep, infection, skin redness, motivation, skin bubbles. We have noticed if the patient has stopped BRAVA.

Results: Twenty-three breasts were treated with BRAVA and fat grafting. Main indications were four mastectomies with radiation, five mastectomies without radiation, three breast cancer conservative surgeries, six breast reconstructions with flap improvements, one breast implant reconstruction failure, one deformity due to a surgical cardiac procedure and three contralateral breast augmentations. Only twenty-one patients succeed to wear BRAVA during one cycle. We have noticed no pain, no motivation loss, no infection. We have noticed 86% of skin redness, and 9,5% sleep troubles and noise troubles. No patient had stop BRAVA during the cycle.

Conclusion: Tolerance of BRAVA is very good for the patient. Main troubles are skin redness. We have noticed any infection, any pain and any motivation loss. If patient can understand how to wear BRAVA, it's important to explain every item of complications. It's a reliable and safe pre-expansion. Another prospective study would evaluate efficiency of BRAVA with fat grafting versus fat grafting alone.