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Twin donates tissue for sister's breast reconstruction |
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Friday, 20 October 2006 |
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In what is believed to be a medical first, a medical team performed flap breast reconstruction surgery on a Pennsylvania woman using tissue donated by her identical twin. The team were led during the 7 hour procedure on October 17th by Robert J. Allen and James E. Craigie, reconstructive microsurgeons at The Center for Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction in Charlestown, S.C.
The 44 year old patient, Naomi Whinnie had previously undergone a double mastectomy for breast cancer in both breasts. Because she and her sister, Nina Hildebrand, are monozygotic twins, there was a reduced risk that the donated tissue would be rejected. Because the recipient had previously had an abdominoplasty procedure, the surgeons couldn't use tissue from her abdomen to make breasts.
“The big advantage [of using abdominal tissue] is that it ends up with a more natural reconstruction that’s permanent,” Craigie said. “It doesn’t deteriorate over time, and it doesn’t sacrifice a muscle.”
Nina Hildebrand received an effective abdominoplasty because of the nature of the harvesting process, taking excess fat and skin from the tummy area.
“It was a win-win,” Whinnie said. “She gets to look good, and I was put back together again."
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