Leaving tissue expanders in after double mastectomy. Is this normal?

Great question and thank you. I think we all wish breast reconstruction could always be done in a single phase. In the United States, we do not have permanent option for a tissue expander. Meaning that all of the devices we have access to are not approved by our government as a permanent device. In the past we had something called a post-operative adjustable implant. This was a device that was more like a saline implant that we could adjust the final volume much like a tissue expander would get filled. To my knowledge, these are no longer available in the US, but I am not certain that they aren't still available in Australia. Without more information I am not sure I can fully answer your question. 

Typically in the United States breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and implants is a two staged procedure. Tissue expander is usually placed first and subsequent injections into the tissue expander cause it to enlarge and create the space that will accommodate the future implant. After the pocket has expanded the expander is removed and the permanent implant is placed. The tissue expanders however can be left in indefinitely if there is a reason not to proceed with the placement of the permanent implant.

Hello!  Thank you for your question!  Implant-based breast reconstruction is a very common method for recreating breast mounds following mastectomy. Tissue expanders are used to gradually stretch the breast for later placement of an implant. Here in the U.S., it is typical to perform a second stage for the exchange if the tissue expander for the implant, either silicone or saline.  We use these as temporary devices. Hope that this helps. Best wishes!