Australian researchers have developed an implantable device that uses a woman’s own fat cells to regrow breasts after a mastectomy in cancer patients.

The procedure involves the insertion of a customised biodegradable chamber, designed to match the woman’s natural breast shape, within which the permanent fat found in breasts could be grown, researchers said.

Researchers have developed a muscle-derived tissue Myogel that induces fat tissue production where there is insufficient fat, providing a safer and more natural way to reconstruct the breast.

The project is being led by The Australian Tissue Engineering Centre.