The evolving role of pre-pectoral ADM-assisted implant-based immediate breast reconstruction following skin-sparing mastectomy

Abstract

Introduction: The increasing use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) and fat transfer in the context of breast reconstruction, following skin sparing mastectomy (SSM) for therapeutic and risk reducing purposes, combined with the need to eliminate animation deformities, reduce post-operative dysfunctional pain and the risk of capsular contracture, has prompted surgeons to investigate the possibility of placing the mammary implant over the pectoralis major muscle with complete coverage with ADM thus reviving the pre-pectoral approach which was previously abandoned due to high complications rates and poor aesthetics in the pre-ADM era.

Methods: We reviewed the literature regarding this evolving technique of muscle sparing ADM-assisted implant-based immediate breast reconstruction.

Results and conclusions: Several authors have recently reported positive early results confirming the potential benefits of eliminating breast animation and reducing postoperative pain, however, most of these reports contain insufficient numbers of patients (<100) and were retrospective in nature with a very short-term follow-up and lack of data regarding objective aesthetic assessment. Prospective data are required for more definitive recommendations.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Breast implants; Breast reconstruction; Xenografts.