Regenerative Tissue Matrix for Breast Reconstruction

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of Alloderm tissue regenerative matrix used in many breast reconstruction operations. When this material is used in the abdomen it often stretches and sometimes needs to be replaced. Although we see good clinical results when used for breast reconstruction, there is no research regarding if or how the material changes in this location. The Alloderm is placed in the breast at the time the expander is placed, post-mastectomy. The expansion is started at the time of surgery and completed during a series of office visit. This process stretches the skin, underlying muscle and presumably the Alloderm. The goal of this study is to better understand the natural history of this material when used for breast reconstruction.

Our objective is to measure changes in the dimension of the tissue matrix material after it has been placed in the breast. These objective findings will be supplemented with a patient questionnaire specifically designed for breast surgery patients.

All patients will receive the standard preoperative work up, intraoperative procedures, and postoperative care indicated for patients undergoing implant breast reconstruction after mastectomy. Some of these patients will require use of the Alloderm to reconstruct the lower half of the breast pocket. This is already being done by plastic surgeons here at Henry Ford Hospital. The difference will be that the Alloderm tissue matrix used to reconstruct the lower part of the breast pocket for the study patients will have 4 millimeter metallic clips placed in it. Postoperatively these clips will be tracked by ultrasound done in the clinic. As the breast implant is normally expanded by adding saline, we believe the Alloderm matrix will stretch. The movement of these imperceptible clips will be tracked and measured to map the expansion of the matrix in response to the underlying implant stretching the overlying breast pocket and the skin envelope. The pattern of expansion will allow us to develop a mathematical model to describe the stretch pattern of Alloderm matrix used in breast reconstruction. This information will be supplemented with a validated questionnaire specifically designed by breast surgery patients. This will give us both an objective dimensional change in the breast reconstruction as well as a patient-centered evaluation of the reconstruction process.