Use of the Acellular Dermal Matrix in Revisionary Aesthetic Breast Surgery

Abstract

Revisionary augmentation and revision of augmentation mastopexy are of considerable interest to plastic surgeons who perform breast surgery because of the procedures' complexity. In these cases, surgeons are faced with either thinned breast tissues resulting from large breast implants with tissue stretch or encapsulation caused by excessive scarring. To our knowledge, there are currently no large-series studies describing the use of acellular dermal matrices (ADM) in cosmetic breast surgery. The authors describe the use of the ADM in revisionary breast surgery to establish the aesthetic breast form. A retrospective chart review was conducted of 78 consecutive patients who underwent revisionary breast augmentation and augmentation mastopexies with ADM during a period of just over two years (October 2005 to January 2008). Data collected included patient characteristics, complications, outcomes, and reoperation rates. Seventy-eight procedures were performed with ADM during the two-year period, with a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. There were two complications requiring reoperations for a hematoma and implant malposition, respectively. There were no Baker III or IV capsular contractures at one year postprocedure. Revisionary augmentation and revision of augmentation mastopexy are commonly performed procedures and they have a significantly higher complication rate than primary procedures. This series shows that the ADM can be used both safely and effectively in revisionary cases, resulting in decreased rates of capsular contracture and implant cushioning/stabilization.