Saturday, June 05, 2010
Neopec breast reconstruction
Women who undergo mastectomies may have a more natural option for replacing surgically-removed breasts, if experiments in Australia are successful.
The Bernard O’Brien Institute of Microsurgery in Melbourne has developed a new surgical procedure, known as Neopec, that enables the human body to re-grow breast tissue using a woman’s own stem cells. Surgeons first implant a biodegradable scaffold shaped like a breast, and then add fat stem cells into the region of the body. Blood vessels feed the stem cells, causing them to multiply over time (about six to eight months). The scaffold eventually dissolves, leaving behind a new breast.
Researchers are expected to begin clinical trials this year. If testing proves Neopec to be successful and safe, the procedure could reach the market in three years.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
New Surgical Technique Attempts to Re-grow Breasts after a Mastectomy (by Peniel M. Dimberu, Singularity Hub)
Australian Scientiest to Start “Breast Regrowth” Trial (by Bonnie Malkin, Telegraph)
Melbourne Innovation Offers New Solution for Mastectomy Patients (Invest Victoria)
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