Prevention of Breast Implant Displacement Using the Acellular Dermal Matrix Garter Belt

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Biomaterials in Medicine

Background:

• Smooth breast implants are increasingly preferred in breast reconstruction following concerns about textured implants.
• Implant displacement, particularly lateral and inferior, is a significant challenge in breast reconstruction.
• A novel prevention method using an acellular dermal matrix (ADM) garter belt is proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of an ADM garter belt in preventing smooth breast implant displacement.
• To assess implant position changes in patients undergoing breast reconstruction with and without the ADM garter belt.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 155 implant-based breast reconstructions (IBR) from April 2019 to December 2020.
• Application of an ADM garter belt in 27 patients (17.4%) identified as high-risk for displacement.
• Assessment of implant displacement (lateral/superior) preoperatively and at least 6 months postoperatively.

Main Results:

• ADM garter belts were used in patients with wide breast pockets (56%) or tight inferomedial pockets (44%).
• Average lateral slipping distance intraoperatively was 3.02 ± 0.81 cm.
• This distance was significantly corrected to 1.54 ± 0.69 cm at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

• An internalized ADM garter belt is an effective method to minimize smooth implant displacement.
• Combining the ADM garter belt with capsuloplasty may enhance prevention of displacement in at-risk patients.