Background: Although acellular dermal matrix materials have been in use for over a decade in primary and secondary breast reconstruction and in some cosmetic breast surgery, little has been published on the outcomes of these materials for cosmetic applications.
Methods: A retrospective institutional review board-approved review was conducted of all patients who had a specific acellular dermal matrix, Strattice, used for cosmetic breast surgery performed by the senior author (S.L.S.). Patient demographics, indications, surgical findings, and postoperative course were collected and data analyzed using descriptive statistical tools.
Results: Between 2008 and 2012, Strattice was used in 43 cosmetic breast operations (75 breasts) performed by the senior author (S.L.S.). Sixty-nine of the 75 breasts (92 percent) were revision operations. Indications included inferior pole support [39 breasts (52 percent)], fold malpositions [28 breasts (37 percent)], capsular contracture [25 breasts (33 percent)], and rippling/palpability [six breasts (8 percent)]. Three patients (six breasts) had Strattice placed during primary augmentation/mastopexy. Seventy-four of the 75 breasts (98.7 percent) had successfully achieved the indication for which the Strattice was placed; one breast (1.2 percent) had some degree of relapse. The global complication rate for all patients in this study is 5.3 percent-two breasts (2.7 percent) had postoperative malposition, one breast (1.2 percent) had bottoming out, and one breast (1.2 percent) developed an infection that resulted in temporary device explantation.
Conclusions: The use of Strattice is safe and may be helpful in the management of certain situations in cosmetic breast surgery, including needed lower pole support, capsular contracture, rippling, and implant malposition.
Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.