Published in:
01-05-2013 | Original Paper
Complications in immediate breast reconstruction using Strattice™
Published in: European Journal of Plastic Surgery | Issue 5/2013
Login to get accessAbstract
Introduction
Immediate breast reconstruction (IBR) is becoming increasingly popular. Implant-based IBR has a lot of benefits over autologous IBR but also carries the disadvantages associated with implant use. Acellular dermal matrix, such as Strattice™, has been used as an alternative approach to provide implant coverage.
Methods
All cases of implant-based IBR using Strattice™ performed between 2009 and 2011 at the North Tees and Hartlepool Breast Unit were reviewed to assess the outcomes, complications and impact on adjuvant therapy with the use of Strattice™ in IBR.
Results
Twenty-one implant-based IBR utilising Strattice™ in 17 patients were reviewed, four were bilateral procedures. Ten patients had complications, nine of whom required a clinical intervention for these complications. Four patients had a foreign body reaction associated with a seroma. Five patients had a wound breakdown with eventual loss of the implant and one patient had an early contracture following radiotherapy. Four patients requiring adjuvant radiotherapy had a delay in starting treatment. Three out of six patients requiring adjuvant chemotherapy had a delay in commencing treatment, and three patients experienced delays between cycles resulting from complications.
Conclusions
Strattice™ may offer an alternative solution to problems in implant-based reconstruction but there are concerns regarding the development of complications associated with this. Complications may delay adjuvant therapy. Further studies should investigate the impact on adjuvant therapy, when using Strattice™ in IBR.
Level of evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study.