Does AlloDerm and Strattice help eliminate capsular contracture?

There is no single known cause of breast capsular contracture.  Reasons often cited are: bleeding and  infection.   The reason to use ADMs (Acellular Dermal Matrices) may be related to those past issues including the actual treatment of capsular contracture.   The short answer is that there really isn't any particular device or product that can eliminate capsular contracture; however, in a case by case basis, the use of the ADM (Alloderm, Strattice, Surgimend, etc), may be needed as part of the reconstructive breast procedure to achieve a soft and well protected breast pocket that will ultimately surround the implant.

Strattice and Alloderm have been very helpful to most surgeons dealing with capsular contracture.  Although it is a fairly infrequent event it has been a "magic bullet" in my experience and I recommend it highly.  

There are several studies that do show a significant reduction in the incidence of capsular contracture using these products, particularly with breast reconstruction.

There have been some evidence especially in the reconstructed breast that Alloderm decreases the incidence of capsular contracture.  Because it is very expensive it is used less in the cosmetic realm

Because we don't 100% know exactly what causes capsular contracture nothing can eliminate it, however using alloderm, strattice or another acellular dermal matrix (ADM) product (in combination with a bunch of other manoeuvres/techniques) has been shown to decrease the likelihood of having a capsular contracture. The only way to know for sure if you would be a good candidate for a revision with ADM is to book a consultation with a board certified plastic surgeon near you to see what your options are. Best of luck!  

Thanks for your question. While there are no guarantees to eliminate contracture, the use of ADMs have been a great addition. The incidence of CC in smooth round devices is 6%. It is further reduced when the implant is placed behind the muscle and is 350CC or less. For those rare patients that do develop a contracture with modern day implants (less than 20years old in most cases) using ADMs is an option. It is something I recommend if someone had an implant above the muscle and then developed another contracture even though the pocket was changed to below the muscle. Some people are just more prone to that type of scar tissue formation. I've never had someone develop a CC with the use of an ADM, except in breast cancer patients that have received radiation. Even in that subset the contractures are much less. Best of Luck!

In an area where so few things work, this actually has a great deal of promise. Not clear how it works but, I've had good success with taking out strips of capsule and placing allograft in their place. Nothing, as noted by the prior doc, is a guarantee but this looks like it will be worth considering. Good luck.

There is good evidence that the odds of developing capsular contracture are lessened with the use of ADM's such as Strattice and Alloderm. Nothing is 100%, but if you have had surgery for capsular contracture and it recurred, then a new implant and ADM would be the best way to treat it.

The short answer is yes as of a study published this month. There were mixed answers before because we didn't have the while story but we now know that for women who develop capsular contracture placing Alloderm or strattice will reduce their chances of developing another capsular contracture.

I have had a very good experience using Alloderm to treat the most difficult cases of capsular contracture.  I have not had any recurrent contractures when I have used this to replace / prevent capsule formation.  It can be costly in cosmetic situations, but it has a very good chance of preventing future contractures when it's used.