IMPLANTABLE DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR ONCOPLASTIC SURGERY
Described herein are devices for placement in surgically created soft tissue spaces, potential spaces, or cavities. The implantable devices generally include a bioabsorbable body having an open framework that facilitates attachment of tissue thereto in a manner that helps avoid post-surgical deformities. Methods for using the implantable devices in oncoplastic surgery are further described.
1 . A method of reconstituting the contour of a breast after surgical removal of tissue comprising:
placing a device within a cavity or space, the cavity or space formed by the surgical removal of tissue, wherein the device comprises a body having a non-contiguous external perimeter surface, and further comprises a semi-rigid open framework to provide structural support to the cavity or space and allow seroma fluid to pass through the non-contiguous external perimeter surface so that the seroma fluid can promote tissue regrowth within the body of the device to reconstitute the contour of the breast.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising manipulating the tissue surrounding the device.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein manipulating the tissue surrounding the device comprises attaching the surrounding tissue to the device.
4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein manipulating the tissue surrounding the device comprises wrapping the surrounding tissue around the device.
5 . The method of claim 4 , wherein the wrapped tissue is sutured to secure it around the device.
6 . The method of claim 3 , wherein attaching the surrounding tissue comprises suturing the tissue to the semi-rigid open framework.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the cavity or space is formed by the surgical removal of tumor tissue.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid open framework comprises a bioabsorbable material.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid open framework is mammographically radiolucent.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the device comprises a radiographically visible element.
11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the semi-rigid open framework is compliant.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein placing the device into the cavity or space partially replaces a volume of the surgically removed tissue.
13 . The method of claim 2 , wherein manipulating the tissue surrounding the device comprises pulling the surrounding tissue through the device.
14 . The method of claim 2 , wherein manipulating the tissue surrounding the device comprises suturing the surrounding tissue through the semi-rigid open framework.
15 . A method of reconstituting the contour of a breast after surgical removal of tissue comprising:
placing a device within a cavity or space, the cavity or space formed by the surgical removal of tissue, wherein the device comprises a trellis-like open framework to provide structural support to the cavity or space and allow seroma fluid to flow within the trellis-like open framework so that the seroma fluid can promote tissue regrowth within the body of the device to reconstitute the contour of the breast.
16 . A method of reconstituting the contour of a breast comprising:
placing a device into a cavity or void created by removal of a volume of breast tissue, the device comprising a body having a semi-rigid open framework to provide structural support to the cavity or void and formed of a bioabsorbable material, wherein the device is sized smaller than the cavity or void; and
manipulating remaining breast tissue surrounding the device,
wherein seroma fluid passes into the device to promote tissue regrowth within the device thereby reconstituting the contour of the breast.
17 . The method of claim 16 , wherein manipulating remaining breast tissue comprises attaching tissues within the semi-rigid open framework.
18 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the cavity or void has minimal overlying tissue.
19 . The method of claim 18 , wherein the device has a flattened or low profile shape.
20 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the device is sized so that it corresponds to the size of a tumor contained within the removed volume of breast tissue.
21 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the semi-rigid open framework is compliant.
22 . The method of claim 16 , wherein the device comprises a radiographically visible element.
23 . A method of reconstituting the contour of a breast comprising:
placing a device into a cavity or void created by removal of a volume of breast tissue, the device comprising a body having a trellis-like open framework to provide structural support to the cavity or void and formed of a bioabsorbable material, wherein the device is sized smaller than the cavity or void; and
manipulating remaining breast tissue surrounding the device,
wherein seroma fluid passes into the device to promote tissue regrowth within the device thereby reconstituting the contour of the breast.