Alloderm or Strattrice - Which is Better for Breast Reconstruction?

asked 1 year ago by savealotmommy in Indiana
Latest answer by C. Bob Basu, MD
Question viewed 870 times
Tags: breasts, female, comparison, options, strattice

What determines if a surgeon uses Alloderm or Strattice for breast reconstruction? Alloderm was used in my reconstruction and I had persistant draining issues until it was removed. I am reluctant to try alloderm again and I was wondering if Strattrice would be an option or if it too had the potential for causing excess drainage.

5 answers to Alloderm or Strattrice - Which is Better for Breast Reconstruction?

AlloDerm vs Strattice in breast reconstruction

AlloDerm and Strattice are both brand names of a group of products called Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM). They are used as a scaffold to allow your own tissue to grow in and become incorporated into your body. AlloDerm comes from human skin while Strattice comes from pig skin, both are provided by the same company. All ADM products are processed to eliminate any living cells and prevent diseases from being passed. Good head to head studies are not available to compare AlloDerm... more

Karol A. Gutowski, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

AlloDerm vs Strattice

AlloDerm, as my colleagues have stated, is an acellular dermis matrix product (ie a sheet of collagen harvest from a human cadaveric course). This matrix of collagen creates a retaining envelope or hammock for the implant. This helps to create a more natural and aesthetically pleasing breast contour and shape in implant based breast reconstruction. Strattice is also a dermal matrix product but from a porcine (pig) source. Both are good options. Most plastic... more

C. Bob Basu, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

Alloderm or Strattice in breast reconstruction?

Both Alloderm and Strattice are acellular dermal matrix tissue (ADM), the former from human tissue and the later from pigs. They both can help tremendously in breast reconstruction and are used extensively. The Alloderm is more pliable and stretchable versus the Strattice which is more rigid. There is no extensive double-blind study comparing the two and it is largely surgeon preference for usage. It seems that the Alloderm is incorporated a little bit earlier than the Strattice. more

Steven Turkeltaub, MD
Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

Both materials can cause drainage

Alloderm (from human tissue) and Strattice (from pig tissue) are both acellular biologic materials used in breast reconstruction to reinforce coverage for a breast implant or tissue expander. Both are useful and both can lead to prolonged drainage for which drains are indicated for at least 7-10 days after surgery. The choice of one or the other depends on several factors including the mechanical properties which differ between the two. Your surgeon... more

David J. Levens, MD
Coral Springs Plastic Surgeon

Alloderm vs Strattice for breast reconstruction

Both products are what are called an acellular dermal matrix, which is the full thickness of skin with all of the cells removed. They become incorporated as your own living tissue and work as a sort of living internal bra. Alloderm stretches a little bit more than Strattice and seems to incorporate into your tissue more quickly, which are favorable properties for breast reconstruction especially when a tissue expander is used. Strattice is used more often for revisions of breast... more

Richard Baxter, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

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