acellular dermal matrix

March 19, 2013

Fat Transfer for Breast Reconstruction Surgery

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Many women choose breast reconstruction surgery after mastectomy or lumpectomy to restore their breasts. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Franklyn Elliott has over 25 years of experience with breast reconstruction procedures and understands that surgery is unique for each individual. Patients may choose to have breast reconstruction surgery immediately after breast cancer is removed or anytime after depending on their individual treatment plan. As he often discusses in blogs, there are several options for breast reconstruction including tissue flap reconstruction, DIEP flap, latissimus dorsi flap, acellular dermal matrix, and fat transfers. breast reconstruction atlanta georgia

Through years of surgical experience and refined breast techniques, Dr. Elliott has found fat transfers advantageous in completing and improving the final results of breast reconstruction. For instance, TRAM flap reconstruction uses skin, fat, blood vessels and muscle from the abdomen, back, thighs or buttock to replace breast tissue that has been removed. Fat transfer can complement a TRAM flap procedure and other reconstructive options to provide smooth, natural-looking results. A fat transfer uses liposuction to remove fat from an area of the body such as the abdomen, buttocks, or thighs to re-inject into another area of the body. Patients benefit from fat transfer combined with breast reconstruction as it involves fewer steps and decreases potential risks.

Well-respected by his peers, Dr. Elliott often travels to world renowned plastic surgery conferences to discuss the latest in breast reconstruction technology and techniques. Dr. Elliott finds fat transfers to be one of the most important breast surgery developments in the past ten years and frequently incorporates them in reconstructive cases.

If you are interested in learning more about breast reconstruction options, please contact Dr. Elliott’s office to schedule a consultation. Be sure to connect with Dr. Elliott on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ for the latest plastic and reconstructive surgery news and information.

August 16, 2012

Breast Reconstruction Options for Breast Cancer Patients

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Every breast cancer diagnosis is different, and treatment plans are designed for each patient’s unique case. According to the American Cancer Society’s most recent estimates for breast cancer in the United States, about 226,870 women will be diagnosed with new cases of invasive breast cancer in 2012. If a woman has a mastectomy, or breast cancer removal surgery during which one or both of the affected breasts are removed, she may consider breast reconstruction surgery. Board certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon, Dr. Franklyn Elliott has performed breast reconstruction for the last 25 years and understands the importance of educating every patient about their breast reconstruction options.

Although there are several breast reconstruction options, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reports that only 33 percent of eligible women undergo breast reconstruction. Dr. Elliott’s passion for breast reconstruction extends beyond educating his own patients. He often attends breast symposiums to teach other plastic surgeons the most advanced breast reconstruction techniques so they can educate their own patients.

Breast reconstruction surgery may be performed immediately or sometime after cancer removal depending on the patient’s situation. Immediate reconstruction occurs at the same time as the breast cancer removal procedure. Delayed reconstruction is an additional surgery performed after a mastectomy, even years after the breast cancer has been removed. Dr. Elliott offers a variety of breast reconstruction options including breast reconstruction with breast implants, reconstruction using tissue expanders, tissue flap reconstruction techniques, and breast reconstruction using acellular dermal matrices.

In tissue flap reconstruction procedures, the breast is reconstructed with the use of tissue from another part of the body such as the abdomen, back, thighs or buttocks. There are many flap procedures including the TRAM flap, DIEP flap, and latissimus dorsi flap. The TRAM flap (transverse rectus abdominis myocutaneous ) uses a section of skin, fat, blood vessels, and muscle to replace the breast tissue that had been removed. There are two techniques for TRAM flap procedures: free and pedicled. A free TRAM flap removes the tissue from the body to reattach it to the blood vessels in the chest, while pedicled TRAM flap uses tissue that maintains its original blood supply. The DIEP flap (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) procedure is very similar to TRAM flap, but does not use muscle from the abdomen (only skin and fat). Finally, the latissimus dorsi flap procedure is similar to the pedicled TRAM procedure, but uses tissue from the back rather than the abdomen. This procedure has the advantage of leaving minimal scarring on the back.

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is another breast reconstruction technique that Dr. Elliott uses with his breast patients. ADM uses soft tissue replacements (either synthetic or animal based) to provide additional coverage and support for tissue expanders or implants used in breast reconstruction.

If you are interested in learning more about breast reconstruction options please contact our office today. Be sure to connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google + to stay updated on the latest breast technology news and information.

May 11, 2012

Dr. Elliott Attends the 3rd Central Asian Plastic Surgery Meeting in Uzbekistan

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If you keep up with Dr. Franklyn Elliott on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+, you may be wondering what he’s recently been up to in Asia. With his passion for teaching and interest in developing plastic and reconstructive surgery techniques and technology, Dr. Elliott recently attended and lectured at the 3^rd Central Asian Plastic Surgery Meeting May 1-6. Held in Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, Dr. Elliott was able to tour Central Asia while presenting and attending lectures about plastic surgery.

Unlike the Annual Breast Surgery Symposium in Atlanta, the Central Asian Plastic Surgery Conference was not limited to breast surgery and included topics involving cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, as well as minimally invasive procedures. During the conference, Dr. Elliott discussed how to achieve natural facelift surgery results and breast reconstruction techniques. Conferences like these are very important because they provide opportunities for plastic surgeons to share ideas to improve their field.

While in Uzbekistan, Dr. Elliott had the opportunity to visit various cities throughout the region. Beginning in Tashkent, Dr. Elliott spent his first day exploring the Old City and visited the Barak Khan Madrasah and Tillya Sheikh Mosque. After his facelift lecture the following day, Dr. Elliott visited Samarkand, among the oldest Central Asian cities, for a night of relaxation in one of the most famous towns on the Silk Road.

The next day, Dr. Elliott discussed breast reconstruction using devices like tissue expanders, breast implants and acellular dermal matrices. A contributor to the TRAM technique for breast reconstruction, he continues to refine breast reconstruction techniques to make the process as easy as possible for patients while producing optimal breast reconstruction results. Following the lecture, Dr. Elliott flew to Urgench and then visited Khiva.

The city of Khiva dates back to the 6th century with an outer town that was once protected by a wall and an inner town that is still protected by brick walls. Dr. Elliott’s favorite sight during his stop in Khiva was the Djuma Mosque. Known for its unique architecture which includes 218 wooden columns supporting its roof, the Djuma Mosque was built in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 18th century. A history enthusiast, Dr. Elliott enjoyed seeing other landmarks like the Tosh Khovli Palace and Muhammad Rakhim Madrasah II and learning more about their history.

Be sure to visit Dr. Elliott’s social media profiles to see more pictures from his excursion. If you’re interested in learning more about the plastic surgery procedures he performs and surgical techniques he is perfecting visit his website or schedule a consultation today.