| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W X Y Z |
| A |
|
| abdominoplasty |
removing excess fatty tissue from the abdomen, also referred to as “tummy tuck” |
| ablatio mammae |
surgical removal of the female breast, mostly due to carcinoma |
| amputation |
surgical ablation of a body part |
| anamnesis |
patient status and history as established by a physician |
| anterior |
the general term applied to the front part of the body or any structure |
| aplasia |
underdeveloped breasts, flat chest |
| areola |
the darkened ring surrounding the nipple of the breast |
| areomamillary |
pertaining to the nipple or the areola |
| aspiration |
removal of liquids accrued in a cavity through extraction with the help of a cannula |
| asymmetry |
irregularity of the breasts, usually referring to their differing in size |
| augmentation (mammoplasty) |
enlargement (of the breast) |
| autoimmune diseases |
diseases of the immune system where antibodies harm tissues of their home organism |
| autologous reconstruction |
(breast) reconstruction with tissue from the patient’s body |
| autotransplantation |
transplantation of tissue from one part of a patient’s body to another |
| axilla; axillary approach |
armpit; accessing the implant position via an incision in the armpit, along the chest wall |
| B |
|
| Baker classification |
Capsular contracture may be an adverse effect occurring after the insertion of breast implants. The Baker grades I, II, III and IV are a classification system for capsular contractures; the lower the degree, the softer the contracture. |
| base size |
the diameter of a prosthesis measured at its base when placed on a flat surface |
| benign |
(med.) pertaining to tumors that do not spread and grow aggressively |
| bi-lateral |
pertaining to both sides |
| biopsy |
extraction of tissue through punction (with a needle) or excision (with the scalpel) for histological or cytological testing for tumors |
| bleeders |
vessels ruptured as a pocket is dissected, usually coagulated |
| blepharoplasty |
surgery of the eyelids |
| blunt dissection |
separation of tissue layers with blunt instruments or fingers |
| breast implant |
A medical device that is used for breast augmentation or post-cancer breast reconstruction. It consists of a dense, multilayered silicone-elastomer shell that is filled with saline solution or highly cohesive silicone gel. The current state of the art is the silicone gel-filled breast implant because the result is more permanent, highly aesthetic and more natural to the touch and in movement. |
| C |
|
| capsule |
a natural reaction of the body to surround a foreign object with a fibrous sheath |
| capsular contracture / fibrosis |
hardening of the capsule around a foreign body, sometimes painful |
| caudal |
anat. towards the tailbone |
| C.D.M. |
Custom Design Mould. A moulage molding technique from which a custom-made implant is made. |
| centimetre (cm) |
2.5cm = 1″ (inch) |
| closed capsulotomy |
a technique to relieve the tension of a firm capsule by applying external pressure to the breast with the heels of the hands; often called the “squeeze” technique |
| cohesive gel |
silicone gel that has a high viscosity (very slow flow rate) and tends to adhere to itself as a mass |
| contra-lateral |
on the opposite side |
| cooper’s ligaments |
suspensory ligaments of the breast |
| Computed Tomography / CT |
3D medical imaging method created with the help of computers and a large series of 2D X-ray images |
| curative therapy |
healing treatment |
| cutis |
outer skin layer, composed of dermis and epidermis |
| cytological examination |
cell examination with the help of a microscope |
| cytostatica |
remedies to block the growth of tumors (may also damage healthy cells) |
| cytotoxicity |
noxiousness of certain substances for a cell; the term is often used to describe the adverse effects of anti-cancer drugs |
| cyst |
lump in the human organism filled with more or less liquid contents and enclosed by a capsule; |
| D |
|
| dermabrasion |
the operative procedure used to remove acne, scars, severe sun spots or skin discoloration; may be performed using paper, wire, brushes or other abrasive materials |
| dermis |
layer of skin beneath the epidermis with numerous nerve ends, blood vessels and elastic fibers, home to the perspiratory glands |
| diagnosis |
stating a medical condition; identification of a disease |
| dislocation |
displacement (of an implant) from the original position |
| duckbill valve |
A filling valve that utilizes an elongated, flat tube that resembles a duck’s bill. Also called a leaf valve. |
| E |
|
| endoscope |
optical device for the enlargement of cellular structures and smaller units up to 300,000 times their size |
| epidermis |
outer layer of skin situated above the dermis, contains no vessels |
| epithelium, epithelial |
formations of cells that line the cavities and surfaces of structures throughout the body |
| epithesis |
artificial body part, worn temporarily as an external replacement |
| estrogen |
female hormone occurring in various levels during the reproductive cycle |
| excision |
surgical removal of tissue |
| expander |
a device to be filled with sterile saline solution to expand and stretch the tissue covering the expander and prepare the area for an implant |
| F |
|
| fiber-optic retractor |
an instrument for drawing back the edges of a wound with a light source provided by a fiber-optic cable |
| filler cannula |
a small tube or cannula through which fluids are added to a prosthesis |
| firm (or hard) capsule |
a condition whereby the fibrous tissue continues to contract around an object until it is firm to the touch |
| flap |
tissue used for transplantation |
| flash cycle |
to sterilize at a high temperature, usually 270 degrees or more for a short period of time |
| fold flaw |
Results when part of the shell “folds” and erosion of corners follows. Can lead to holes in shell and deflation if it occurs in an inflatable or double-lumen style. |
| G |
|
| gel migration / permeation |
silicone molecules which are picked up and transported to other areas of the body by the lymphatic system |
| general anesthesia |
various combinations of agents used to induce a total loss of consciousness and sensitivity to pain; administered and maintained during surgery by an anesthesiologist or anesthetist |
| glandula, glandular |
(Lat.) gland; pertaining to glands |
| gluteus |
buttocks |
| gross examination |
examination of an object by the naked eye |
| gynecology |
medical science of the female reproductive system |
| gynecomasty |
uni- or bilateral enlargement of the male breast glands |
| H |
|
| hematoma |
a collection of blood outside the blood vessels, causing tissue swelling |
| hemostasis |
arrest of bleeding or of circulation |
| high profile |
an implant that has a high or domed projection when placed on a flat surface |
| histology; histological |
science and study of the microscopic anatomy of biological tissue; histological examination of a specially prepared tissue slice permits the diagnosis of the benign or malign nature of a tumor and may indicate its origins |
| hormones |
messenger substances created by an organism |
| hyperplasia |
congenital overdevelopment of tissue; very large breasts |
| hypertrophy |
(med.) pronounced scarring |
| hypoplasia |
congenital underdevelopment of tissue; very small breasts |
| I |
|
| immune system |
system of biological structures and processes that protects an organism against disease |
| implant (prosthesis) |
an artificial body part inserted as a permanent replacement in the body |
| incidence |
frequency of an occurrence |
| incision |
(med.) cut into the body for surgical approach |
| indication |
reason for the treatment of a disease |
| inferior |
below in relation to other parts of the body or of a structure |
| inframammary approach |
accessing the future implant position via an incision mid-point in the fold below the breast |
| K |
|
| keloid |
bulging scar, proliferation of connective tissue, occurring several weeks or month after mutilation (through trauma or surgery) |
| korium |
= dermis; the connective-tissue skin layer situated between epidermis and subcutis |
| L |
|
| lateral |
toward the side, opposite of median |
| latissimus dorsi |
back muscle beneath the shoulder blade used for autologous breast reconstruction |
| leaking |
the release of unattached molecules from the silicone gel that migrate through the shell (also called bleeding or weeping) |
| lipectomy |
body contouring surgery by removing fat cells |
| lipoaspiration / liposuction |
fat extraction by aspiration / suction |
| lipodystrophy |
disproportioned fat distribution |
| local anesthesia |
general sedation of a patient followed by a localized full block of the area of surgery |
| lot number |
a number assigned to each product denoting the silicone batch of origin as well as its month and year of manufacture |
| low profile |
an implant that has a low projection when placed on a flat surface |
| M |
|
| macromastia |
congenitally overlarge breasts |
| malign |
(med.) pertaining to tumors that spread and grow aggressively |
| mamma; mammary |
the female breast; pertaining to the female breast, the female breast glands |
| mammary expander |
device for the expansion of female breast tissue to gain skin coverage for an implant |
| mammaplasty |
plastic surgery of the breast |
| mammography |
radiographic examination of the breast |
| mastectomy |
removal of the breast |
| mastitis |
inflammation of the breast glands |
| mastopathy |
benign disorder of the mammary glands (may become malign over time) |
| mastopexy |
breast-lift surgery |
| medial |
towards the middle |
| metastasis |
secondary tumor, a spread from the primary tumor; in contrast to a local recurrence a metastasis may occur in a place far from the original tumor |
| “milking” |
a technique of inserting an implant through an incision by squeezing the gel in such a manner that enough pressure is applied to force the bulk of the prosthesis into the pocket without causing it to rupture |
| modified radical mastectomy |
removal of the breast, some surrounding lymph nodes, but sparing the majority of the pectoralis muscle |
| MRI / Magnetic Resonance Imaging |
medical imaging technology used for the diagnosis of illnesses |
| myocutaneous flap |
transplantable tissue consisting of skin and muscles |
| N |
|
| necrosis |
death of areas of tissue surrounded by healthy parts |
| normal saline solution |
a balanced 0.9% solution used for filling inflatable, bi-luminous and gel-saline implants |
| O |
|
| oedema |
aggregation of body liquids in the intercellular gaps |
| oncology |
the science and study of cancer |
| open capsulotomy |
a surgical procedure where the breast pocket is reopened and the fibrous tissue of a firm capsule is severed or removed |
| overfill |
the filling of a prosthesis shell over and above its standard quantity |
| P |
|
| palliative therapy |
treatment to reduce discomfort |
| palpate, palpation |
to determine by feel |
| patches |
small areas of material placed on the posterior portion of a implant to promote tissue ingrowth for stabilization. (rarely used today) |
| pectoralis muscle |
the large muscle underlying the breast |
| percutaneous |
insertion of a needle or instrument through the skin |
| periareolar approach |
accessing the implant position via an incision around a portion of the outer boundary of the areola |
| pigmentation |
accretion of biological colored substances |
| pocket |
an area to contain the breast prosthesis created by separating the fatty tissue of the breast and the underlying pectoralis muscle |
| Poland Syndrome |
congenital unilateral underdevelopment of varying characteristics; may concern the chest only but may also include anomalies of the hand |
| polydimethyl siloxane |
chemical term for silicone |
| posterior |
the general term applied to the back part of the body or any structure |
| postoperative |
after surgery |
| preoperative |
before surgery |
| prevention |
(med.) behavior to prevent the occurrence of cancer, i.e. a healthy way of living, e.g. through not smoking, no alcohol, a balanced diet, avoiding sun burns / excess weight |
| profile |
lateral shape of an implant |
| progesterone |
steroid with a central importance for the production of female sex hormones |
| prognosis |
likely course or outcome of an illness |
| prophylaxis |
medical procedure to prevent the occurrence of an illness |
| prosthesis |
artificial body part, either implant or epithesis: the implant is inserted as a permanent replacement in the body, the epithesis is worn temporarily as an external replacement |
| projection |
the outward thrust of the breast created or enhanced by the insertion of implants |
| ptosis |
sagging or hanging breast or breast tissue |
| punction |
biopsy with the help of a needle |
| R |
|
| radical mastectomy |
removal of the breast, underlying muscle and surrounding lymph nodes |
| radiology |
medical branch using imaging technologies like x-ray, ultrasound, CT and MRI for diagnosis |
| reconstruction |
(med.) recreation of lost tissues |
| relapse |
reappearance of an illness after complete recovery |
| remission |
(med.) diminishment of a tumor |
| rhytidectomy |
surgery of the face, facelift |
| R.T.V. |
Room temperature vulcanization. A silicone compound that will “set up” at room temperature. |
| runny gel |
silicone gel that has a high flow rate and tends to separate under stress |
| rupture |
bursting or breaking, e.g. of an implant |
| S |
|
| scalloping |
creasing or folding of the shell due to loss of volume |
| screening |
regular examinations to discover illnesses in people with no evident symptoms but a genetic disposition |
| self-sealing |
a valve that completely seals itself when the intra-cash is removed |
| semi-permeable membrane |
a membrane which will allow the passage of some molecules |
| sepsis |
blood poisoning |
| seroma |
aggregation of body liquids in cavities resulting from illnesses |
| serum; serous |
(med.) clear liquid remaining after body fluids were cleared from their cellular components; generally describes a component of the blood |
| silicone |
a synthetic polymer |
| sharp dissection |
a separation of tissue layers with a scalpel or knife |
| silicone |
polydimethyl siloxane, a synthetic polymer |
| silicone elastomer |
a synthetic polymer with reinforcing filler |
| silicone gel |
a synthetic polymer without reinforcing filler |
| sonography |
ultrasound-based medical imaging technique |
| steroid injection |
injecting steroids into inflatable or bi-lumen implants so they will be released into surrounding tissue over a period of time |
| subcutaneous mastectomy |
the removal of the majority of the breast tissue, leaving the skin and a thin layer of tissue for reconstruction purposes |
| subglandular positioning |
placing a breast implant under the mammary glands |
| submammary approach |
see: inframammary approach |
| subpectoral positioning |
placing a breast implant under the pectoralis muscle |
| superior |
above in relation to other parts of the body or of a structure |
| suture tab |
A small nylon loop usually placed on the posterior portion of a prosthesis for suturing to the chest wall or to other materials. Can also be used for orientation or positioning of implants. |
| symptom |
characteristics by which to recognize an illness |
| T |
|
| tear strength |
the amount of pressure needed to tear a sample of silicone sheeting after a slight cut has been made in it |
| tensile strength |
the amount of pressure needed to stretch a sample of silicone sheeting until it breaks |
| thorax, thoracic |
chest |
| TRAM flap |
Transversus Rectus Abdominis Muscle flap consisting of belly skin and a section of the straight belly muscle used for autologous breast reconstruction |
| transareolar |
across the areola |
| tubular breast |
ptotic breasts with a diameter scarcely larger than the areola |
| tumescence; tumescence anesthesia |
swelling; infiltration of the liposuction area with a liquid consisting of saline solution, a local anesthetic and adrenaline |
| tumor |
benign or malign agglomeration of non-functional cells |
| tumor marker |
body substances in the blood and urine that indicate an illness |
| tumorectomy |
surgical excision of a tumor |
| U |
|
| under the muscle |
see: sub-pectoral |
| underfill |
the filling of a prosthesis shell under its standard quantity |
| undermine |
to separate layers of tissue |
| unilateral |
pertaining to one side |
| V |
|
| valve |
a mechanism through which additional material is added to a saline implant or expander |
| virus |
pathogenic organisms with no own metabolism that need a host cell to proliferate; will be attacked by the immune system of the invaded organism |
| w |
|
| weeping |
another term for leaking |
| wrinkling |
term used to describe folds, ridges or creases showing on the skin after an implantation caused by a too large implant pocket |
| Z |
|
| zipper effect |
This references a scalloping edge on a gel implant. The term “scalloping” references the same phenomena on an inflatable implant. |
