Breast Reconstruction Using Tissue Engineering
Abstract
The cure for breast cancer is a long-term clinical realization. In the meantime, patients continue to undergo mastectomies as a preventative measure against breast cancer or as a means to surgically resect an existing breast cancer. Conventional procedures for reconstructing breast, or other soft tissue defects requiring adipose tissue, involve "robbing Peter to pay Paul". That is, tissue from a donor site on the patient is used to reconstruct the breast mound. Ideally, the reconstructive goal would be to completely avoid using functional tissues, such as muscle, for soft tissue reconstruction. Considering the fact that the general cost of reconstruction is high, in both the monetary and the physical sense, a need exists to reduce costs and develop innovative reconstruction methodologies. The multidisciplinary efforts of bioengineering and materials science, cell biology, and surgical science can interact through the field of tissue engineering to help produce viable adipose tissue solutions for presently limited reconstructive applications in soft tissue augmentation and, ultimately, for incorporation into compound flap tissue for clinical use to increase soft tissue bulk and help create or repair appropriate superficial body contour and shape where well-vascularized soft tissue is needed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA410572
Entities
People
- Charles W. Patrick Jr.
Organizations
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center