The use of human acellular dermal matrices in irradiated breast reconstruction

This article examines the effects of radiation on prosthetic breast reconstruction when human dermal allograft is used in the reconstruction. A brief review of radiation terminology and techniques as applied to the breast is given, followed by a review of the effects of radiation on wound healing in human tissue. The effects of radiation on prosthetic breast reconstruction before the advent of dermal allografting are reviewed. The addition of dermal allograft in reconstruction has led to a reduced number of complications. An algorithm for surgical treatment of irradiated prosthetic breast reconstructions is presented, with a discussion of the authors technique.