Thursday, 19 September 2013 - 02:34
More breast reconstruction from own fatty tissue
The demand for breast reconstruction with own tissue increases, says plastic surgeon Marc Mureau of the Erasmus MC, author of a new directive for breast reconstructions which will be published early next year.In 10 to 14 percent of breast reconstruction the patient's own tissue is used, usually fat from the abdomen. This roughly equals 600 cases per year. According to Mureau more and more women request this technique. The doctor did not have any specific statistics on how strong the demand increased.
The demand is in any case greater than the supply, causing women to turn to neighboring countries. A hundred women a year go to Belgium, estimates Mureau.
Silicone_gel-filled_breast_implants
FDA
Wikimedia commons In the Netherlands, insurers barely reimburse the complex treatment, making it more appealing for hospitals to use the well reimbursed breast prostheses. Another reason to choose the implant is that five women can be helped in the same time it takes for a procedure using natural tissue. The procedure is expensive, the country is in a crisis, hospitals are not allowed to grow, and there are only 40 physicians who can perform the procedure, explains Mureau. The waiting lists have gone up to about two years. Benefits of reconstructions with natural tissue is that the breasts look and feel more natural, and there's no risk of ruptures. But the procedures are complex and time-consuming. A breast reconstruction takes 5 to 7 hours, two breasts take up to 8-12 hours, and there is a risk of complications. The disadvantage of implants is that one-third of the implants rupture after ten years. Also, the shape of the breast can change, the breast can feel hard or painful from scar tissue. Strictly speaking this may not be a medically necessary procedure. There's no hurry. Maybe that's why insurers and those responsible for adequate policies easily overlook this type of surgery. However, for the women involved it's of the utmost importance for their quality of life. Mureau advocates with insurers, hospitals, doctors, and other stakeholders to find a solution to help these women in the Netherlands. The surgeon suggests maybe creating some specialized centers.
FDA
Wikimedia commons In the Netherlands, insurers barely reimburse the complex treatment, making it more appealing for hospitals to use the well reimbursed breast prostheses. Another reason to choose the implant is that five women can be helped in the same time it takes for a procedure using natural tissue. The procedure is expensive, the country is in a crisis, hospitals are not allowed to grow, and there are only 40 physicians who can perform the procedure, explains Mureau. The waiting lists have gone up to about two years. Benefits of reconstructions with natural tissue is that the breasts look and feel more natural, and there's no risk of ruptures. But the procedures are complex and time-consuming. A breast reconstruction takes 5 to 7 hours, two breasts take up to 8-12 hours, and there is a risk of complications. The disadvantage of implants is that one-third of the implants rupture after ten years. Also, the shape of the breast can change, the breast can feel hard or painful from scar tissue. Strictly speaking this may not be a medically necessary procedure. There's no hurry. Maybe that's why insurers and those responsible for adequate policies easily overlook this type of surgery. However, for the women involved it's of the utmost importance for their quality of life. Mureau advocates with insurers, hospitals, doctors, and other stakeholders to find a solution to help these women in the Netherlands. The surgeon suggests maybe creating some specialized centers.
