Expandable anatomical implants in breast reconstructions: a prospective study.

Following success with two-stage anatomical breast reconstructions, we started using expandable anatomical implants for breast reconstruction to achieve one-stage reconstruction. Sixty-three breast reconstructions were carried out with one-stage expandable anatomical implants over a period of 15 months, September 1995 to December 1996. To assess the performance of these implants, 20 patients with mean age 51.1 years (range 34-68 years), who were operated between February 1996 and June 1996, were entered into a prospective study. Overall, very satisfactory results were achieved, with a mean follow-up of 10.1 months (range 8-12 months). Minor complications were recorded in 3 patients and minor secondary adjustment was required in 7 patients.