Direct-to-implant single-stage immediate breast reconstruction with acellular dermal matrix: predictors of failure

Direct-to-implant single-stage immediate breast reconstruction using acellular dermal matrix is a cost-effective alternative to two-stage expander-implant reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to identify predictors of direct-to-implant single-stage immediate breast reconstruction failure, defined as need for early (≤6 months) revision surgery.

The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients with direct-to-implant single-stage immediate breast reconstruction in 2010 and 2011 at three University of British Columbia hospitals. Data were compared between successful and failed single-stage reconstructions. Predictors of failure were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Patient demographics and complications were compared to a random sample of control patients with two-stage alloplastic reconstruction without acellular dermal matrix.

Of 164 breasts that underwent direct-to-implant single-stage immediate breast reconstruction, 52 (31.7 percent) required early revision. Increasing breast cup size was the only significant predictor of early revision compared with bra size A (OR for bra size B, 4.86; C, 4.96; D, 6.01; p < 0.05). Prophylactic mastectomies showed a trend toward successful single stage (OR, 0.47; p = 0.061), whereas smoking history trended toward failure (OR, 1.79; p = 0.065). Mastectomy flap necrosis was significantly higher in direct-to-implant single-stage immediate reconstruction cases compared to two-stage controls.

Direct-to-implant breast reconstruction can be reliably performed in a single stage in patients with small breast size. Increasing breast cup size confers a higher chance of early revision. A two-stage approach may be more cost-effective in larger breasted patients.

Risk, III.