Use of platelet gel in breast reconstruction after breast-conserving cancer surgery

With the aim of decreasing breast defects after conservative cancer surgery, we present a new breast reconstruction technique using breast volume restitution with platelet gel. A pilot study was conducted on 20 breast cancer patients undergoing tumorectomy with placement a gel obtained by plateletpheresis of a healthy allogeneic donor in the surgical cavity. Patients had a clinical, photographic and histological follow-up, as well as an assessment of the aesthetic outcome. The mean age was 50.5±8.6 years (range 42-70 years) and with a mean Charlson comorbidity index of 1.1±1.2 (range 0-5). The mean tumour volume was 63.1±31.1 ml (range 30-160 ml) and the mean restitution volume with platelet gel was 111.5±60.9 ml (range 40-250 ml). After a mean follow-up of 17 months, 80% of the patients maintained the breast volume and no further operations were needed due to surgical margin involvement. No recurrences were observed in any patient. Platelet gel allows restitution of the breast volume adjusted to the tumorectomy volume, minimising the usual retractions and deformities after conservative surgery. It enables wide resections and safety margins.