The use of acellular dermal matrix in immediate two-stage prosthetic breast reconstruction provides protection from postmastectomy radiation therapy: a clinicopathologic perspective

Although there is ample evidence showing that radiation therapy increases the risk of complications of breast reconstruction, the efficacy of human acellular dermal matrix (CGCryoDerm®) in immediate tissue expander breast reconstruction in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we report our institutional experience with pertinent refined surgical technique, and determine whether acellular dermal matrices have a protective effect in this increasingly prevalent clinical setting. Twenty-six patients who underwent immediate two-stage breast reconstruction in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy with at least 2 years of follow-up were retrieved. Fifteen patents were reconstructed with ADM, whereas 11 patients were reconstructed without ADM. The occurrence of complications was assessed according to the reconstruction type (with ADM vs without ADM). Furthermore, in patients reconstructed with ADM (n = 15), immunohistochemistry was performed to analyze the breast capsule with ADM compared with that without ADM in the same patient, according to the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). The occurrence of complications was significantly associated with the reconstruction type (with ADM vs. without ADM, p = 0.015). On the basis of the results of α-SMA staining, α-SMA+ myofibroblasts were relatively highly expressed throughout the breast capsule without ADM. On the contrary, α-SMA+ myofibroblasts present at the breast capsule adjacent to the ADM were scarce and irregularly scattered. Use of an acellular dermal matrix may be recommended to patients who are concerned about complications after immediate two-stage breast reconstruction in the setting of postmastectomy radiation therapy.