Use of dermal matrix to prevent capsular contracture in aesthetic breast surgery

Capsular contracture remains a challenging complication of implant-based aesthetic breast surgery despite improvements in implant design. The lowering of capsular contracture rates noted with the past use of polyurethane foam-covered implants has increased awareness of the importance of the biologic response at the interface between the implant surface and breast tissue. Emerging evidence indicates that much like the polyurethane foam, acellular dermal matrices alter the biologic response at the surface interface, resulting in a more vascular and less constrictive pattern of collagen deposition. This study reports on the authors' clinical experience using Strattice Reconstructive Tissue Matrix (LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, N.J.) for the treatment of capsular contracture in patients with established capsules and for prevention in patients undergoing primary augmentation or augmentation/mastopexy. Of 80 patients (154 breasts) in whom Strattice was used, clinically significant contracture (Baker grade III/IV) occurred in three breasts (3.75 percent), all of which were in the treatment of previous contracture group. In addition, the authors noted two seromas requiring implant removal (both patients developed capsules, as mentioned above) and two hematomas requiring revision, for an overall failure rate of 6.25 percent for Strattice-assisted surgery. The data confirm that the use of Strattice significantly lowers the incidence of capsular contracture in the first 3.5 years after implant placement.