Drs. Karp and Choi are doing fat injection to the breast for breast augmentation and for revision of breast reconstruction.  This exciting new technology is available to patients who have had breast implant reconstruction as well as flap reconstruction.  The fat injection can improve most breast reconstructions.  For the breast augmentations, fat injections can be done initially or to replace implants that are already in place.

Dr. Choi will be presenting the work performed by herself and Dr. Karp involving the use of 3D scanning to follow the progress of fat injection to the breast for breast reconstruction purposes.  The patients treated with fat injection include implant reconstructions, flap reconstructions, and deformities after lumpectomy.  The data shows that the fat stabilizes after about 2 months and about 50% of the fat survives long term.  This is the first study to objectively document the survival of fat grafting to the breast.  The paper was accepted for presentation at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons Meeting in Seattle, Washington on October 24, 2009.

Dr Karp was featured in an article in Cosmetic Surgery Times about his use of 3D imaging in the management of patients having breast reconstruction, reduction and augmentation.  For the full content please click on the link below.

http://cosmeticsurgerytimes.modernmedicine.com/cosmeticsurgerytimes/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=614276&sk=&date=&%0A%09%09%09&pageID=2

Drs Karp and Choi have been using preoperative CT scan angiograms to deliniate the anatomy of the deep inferior epigastric artery and its perforators prior to DIEP flap surgery.  This technique allows the doctors to know the anatomy of the small vessels called perforators that nourish the DIEP flap prior to surgery. This knowledge results in a safer and shorter operation.  Drs karp and Choi estimate that incorporating this technology into their practice has shortened the operative time by 90 to 120 minutes.  A shorter operation means less anesthesia and a quicker recovery for their patients.

Drs Choi and Karp will present their work on fat grafting to the breast at the Northeastern Plastic Surgery Meeting in Charleston, SC on 9/23-9/26.