Post Radiotherapy my Tissue Expander Became Infected. Will the Skin Survive to Stretch for Another Expander/implant?

May 17, 2013
Asked By:LouB

I've had a left side mastectomy and lymph removal. Post radiotherapy (feb 2013) the port of my tissue expander was infected with staph aureus and removed. The infection returned. I've been advised to have the expander out and leave it for 3 months before attempting reconstruction. What will happen to the skin that is left? I'd like to avoid flap surgery as I'm very slim and it's major surgery. What are the chances of the skin surviving 3 mths for another expander and implant rather than flaps?

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