The Use of Meshed Dermal Autograft in Breast Reconstruction

The advantages and disadvantages of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) in breast reconstruction have been well documented. ADM is commonly used in breast reconstruction, but it adds cost to the procedure and has been associated with an increased risk of seroma, flap necrosis and infectious complications. A dermal autograft may be a useful alternative to matrices, and it has a lot of advantages: more biocompatible and more likely to be retained as a free graft, low cost, well tolerated, readily available and integrated. This report discusses a new surgical technique that uses an autologous dermis, which was harvested from the controlateral breast in patients having simultaneous breast reduction/mastopexy. Before the insertion, the autologous dermal matrix was meshed at a ratio of 3:1 to increase the graft surface area, to provide additional draining and to improve the engraftment of the autologous dermal matrix. Consequently, the resulting meshed graft allows for the cover of the inferior pole of a larger breast size implant and decreases the complication rate. In our clinic, this method was used on five women; there was one limited necrosis of the mastectomy flaps. The described technique is straightforward and reliable, it adds minimally to the operative time, and it eliminates costs and covers a bigger part of the prosthesis and promises good results. No Level Assigned This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .