Acellular dermal matrix in the treatment and prevention of exposed vertical expandable prosthetic titanium ribs

Case series.

To illustrate the use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in treatment and prevention of exposed vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) implants.

In the pediatric population with severe kyphoscoliosis, VEPTR is an effective tool during growth for the correction of ribcage deformity. Prolonged VEPTR therapy can result in wound breakdown, implant exposure, and infection. Treatment includes the use of prolonged antibiotics, muscle flaps, and, when salvage fails, removal of the VEPTR. The use of ADM in the treatment and prevention of VEPTR exposure has not been previously described.

Between January 2002 and January 2010, eight patients who underwent placement of ADM for the treatment and prevention of exposed VEPTR devices were identified. Their records were reviewed for diagnosis, sex, age of patient at initial VEPTR placement, position of VEPTR placement, number of VEPTR expansions, wound complications, ADM use, adjunct procedures, and length of wound follow-up.

ADM was used in eight patients. In five patients ADM was used for compromised soft tissue overlying the VEPTR and threatened exposure of the hardware. In these cases, subsequent expansions occurred without incident and the wound remained stable with an average follow-up of 7.6 months. In three patients, ADM was used for exposed VEPTR hardware secondary to wound breakdown. Average follow-up was 3.3 months. In two of the three cases of exposed and contaminated hardware, stable soft tissue coverage was achieved and continued VEPTR therapy was achieved. One of the three cases of exposure involved infected and prominent hardware with purulence. This patient failed to clear the infection and required complete device removal.

ADM can treat and prevent exposed VEPTR, allowing subsequent VEPTR expansions and minimizing the need for muscle flap coverage and/or implant removal and replacement.