Breast Reconstruction Using Contour Fenestrated AlloDerm: Does Improvement in Design Translate to Improved Outcomes?
BACKGROUND
Acellular dermal matrices are used in implant-based breast reconstruction. The introduction of contour fenestrated AlloDerm (Life-Cell, Branchburg, N.J.) offers sterile processing, a crescent shape, and prefabricated fenestrations. However, any evidence comparing reconstructive outcomes between this newer generation acellular dermal matrices and earlier versions is lacking.


METHODS
Patients undergoing implant-based breast reconstruction from 2010 to 2014 were identified. Reconstructive outcomes were stratified by 4 types of implant coverage: aseptic AlloDerm, sterile "ready-to-use" AlloDerm, contour fenestrated AlloDerm, or total submuscular coverage. Outcomes were compared with significance set at P < 0.05.


RESULTS
A total of 620 patients (1019 reconstructions) underwent immediate, implant-based breast reconstruction; patients with contour fenestrated AlloDerm were more likely to have nipple-sparing mastectomy (P = 0.0001, 0.0004, and 0.0001) and immediate permanent implant reconstructions (P = 0.0001). Those with contour fenestrated AlloDerm coverage had lower infection rates requiring oral (P = 0.0016) and intravenous antibiotics (P = 0.0012) compared with aseptic AlloDerm coverage. Compared with sterile "ready-to-use" AlloDerm coverage, those with contour fenestrated AlloDerm had similar infection outcomes but significantly more minor mastectomy flap necrosis (P = 0.0023). Compared with total submuscular coverage, those with contour fenestrated AlloDerm coverage had similar infection outcomes but significantly more explantations (P = 0.0001), major (P = 0.0130) and minor mastectomy flap necrosis (P = 0.0001). Significant independent risk factors for increased infection were also identified.


CONCLUSIONS
Contour fenestrated AlloDerm reduces infections compared with aseptic AlloDerm, but infection rates are similar to those of sterile, ready-to-use AlloDerm and total submuscular coverage.
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Jordan D
JD
Frey
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Michael
M
Alperovich
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Katie E
KE
Weichman
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Stelios C
SC
Wilson
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Alexes
A
Hazen
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Pierre B
PB
Saadeh
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Jamie P
JP
Levine
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Mihye
M
Choi
Department of Plastic Surgery, NYU Langone Medical Center, New York, N.Y.; and Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, New York, N.Y.
Nolan S
NS
Karp