Dr. Michael Law’s Use of GalaFORM™ for Breast Surgery
Located in Raleigh, North Carolina serving patients in Raleigh, Cary and Durham NC.
Galatea scaffold is indicated for use as a bioresorbable scaffold for soft tissue support and to repair, elevate, and reinforce deficiencies where weakness or voids exist that require the addition of material to obtain the desired surgical outcome. This includes reinforcement of soft tissue in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and general soft tissue reconstruction.
What is GalaFORM™ 3D scaffold?
In the same manner that a trellis works to support the growth of flowers in a garden, a Galatea scaffold encourages the regeneration and growth of a patient’s own natural tissue after surgery. The Galatea scaffold is used to support soft tissue and to reinforce areas that may benefit from additional strength and support. The scaffold provides a porous framework or lattice for the patient’s own tissue to grow into. Over time, the lattice bioresorbs, leaving the patient’s tissue to provide support. The Galatea scaffold is a knitted monofilament surgical scaffold made from a completely bioresorbable and biologically derived material called P4HB. P4HB products have been cleared for sale in the United States and Europe since 2007 and have been used in over a million patients worldwide. The Galatea collection of scaffolds is indicated for use by the FDA for soft tissue reinforcement in plastic and reconstructive surgery.
How does a Galatea scaffold work?
A Galatea scaffold is implanted during surgery to support soft tissue that would benefit from additional strength and reinforcement. Immediately at work, the Galatea scaffold provides the initial mechanical support to the surgical area, but more importantly it serves as a foundation for tissue regeneration during the healing period. The Galatea scaffold encourages cells to migrate into its pores, allowing collagen to build, and healthy blood vessels to form. During this regeneration and healing process, the Galatea scaffold is naturally absorbed by your body, leaving behind only a strong, healthy tissue to support the primary surgical outcome. This tissue regeneration begins immediately and results in tissue that is 3-5 times stronger.
How long does it take for a Galatea scaffold to naturally absorb?
The Galatea scaffold degrades in the human body primarily through hydrolysis. Hydrolysis is a process by which the material is broken down by water. The scaffold loses all of its strength by about 12 months, and is fully absorbed in approximately 18-24 months. The resulting byproducts are carbon dioxide and water, which are natural to the body.
Is the Galatea scaffold a tissue?
Galatea scaffolds are a biological fiber, knitted into an implantable medical device. They are made from neither human nor animal tissue, but rather a bioresorbable polymer that is fully compatible with the body.
Why might my doctor suggest soft tissue reinforcement?
Clinical studies show that within 3 years, anywhere from 15-40% of patients undergo another surgery to revise their result. The most commonly cited reason for these re-operations is the re-occurrence of the sagging or drooping. Dr. Law has integrated the use of a Galatea scaffold in procedures where patients have weakened tissue and require soft tissue support to achieve the desired surgical outcome. Galatea scaffolds aid in the support, repair, and elevation of weakened tissue and promote strong tissue ingrowth, providing mechanical support to the surgical site. By providing internal support immediately after your surgery, soft tissue reinforcement can be used to help support newly lifted and tightened tissue and potentially prevent re-sagging.
What is ptosis? Why would a patient need additional reinforcement for a procedure?
Ptosis is the drooping or sagging of the skin usually due to natural aging, excessive weight loss, sun exposure, pregnancy and many other reasons. As we grow older, our skin becomes thinner, and less durable due to a significant loss in collagen and elastin. Because of these various factors, skin may begin to show signs of sagging or skin may feel very loose and therefore not provide sufficient mechanical support to withstand the external or internal forces imposed upon it. The Galatea collection of scaffolds can be used to provide soft tissue reinforcement. Because it is a bioresorbable product, a Galatea scaffold initially provides much of the strength of the repair. Over time, new tissue regenerates, growing into the Galatea scaffold and this new tissue provides the long-term support. When used in the body during a surgery to correct ptosis, soft tissue reinforcement is designed to extend the life of your repair by providing extra support to the skin envelope and tissue. Dr. Law has almost 20 years of experience in breast augmentation and complex breast revision surgery. He is considered an expert in helping patients correct poor breast augmentation results and achieve the beautiful, natural breast contour they envision. If you’d like to improve your breast augmentation, please contact us to set up a personal consultation with Dr. Law at The Plastic Surgery Center.
GalaFORM 3D Scaffold Family
