What is a Strattice Contour? How necessary is it for a breast lift and replacement of implants

Question

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

Thank you for the question. The use of acellular dermal matrix or biosynthetic mesh may be very helpful when it comes to providing additional support for breast implants and/or breast tissue.  I find this material very helpful in cases where patients have recurrent implant displacement concerns and/or significant loss of skin/tissue strength. Whether or not it is "necessary" can only be determined after careful evaluation of a specific patient's history and physical examination;  advice from well experienced board-certified plastic surgeons will be helpful in the decision-making process.

Acellular dermal matrix is a biologic implant that carries the ability to become integrated into native tissue. It is made by taking a full thickness section of skin from a donor source (his human, porcine, or bovine in origin).   These materials may be helpful as a supportive matrix, help with the breast implant displacement/malposition,  provide additional support where a capsule repair (capsulorraphy)  is carried out ( such as cases involving bottoming out, lateral displacement, symmastia) etc.  I have also found the material to be very helpful when it comes to treating severe breast implant rippling/palpability concerns.  Furthermore, the acellular dermal matrix is very helpful when it comes to treating challenging/recurrent cases of breast implant encapsulation.
You may find the attached link, dedicated to specifically to the use of acellular dermal matrix for breast surgery, helpful to you as you learn more.  You will find a separate page, dedicated to revisionary breast surgery concerns as well.
Best wishes.

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

Strattice is a material called acellular dermal matrix or ADM, and used for reinforcement of weakened tissues. Examples of this include implants bottoming out and rippling. With a lift and implants, the implants can place stress on the skin envelope and this can be countered by using Strattice. It is also used when there is a capsular contracture. Think of Strattice and other materials such as SERI and GalaFLEX as an internal bra.

Robert Frank, MD · Answer

Strattice is skin (pig skin) which has been treated to get rid of all the cells and proteins your body might "reject". Its essentially a scaffold which your body will grow into. Why do we use it? Well, one of the problems with implant displacement is the very nature of the problem indicates that your tissues are weak. Sewing weak tissues together is like sewing moist kleenex together. It will fail and usually sooner than later. The strattice is a bridge from your stronger tissues across the weakened area. It feels similar to a piece of fabric and, assuming it doesn't get infected, will ultimately be part of you. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

I reserve the use of Strattice for cases in which the patient has had either multiple capsular contractures or has repeated bottoming out  or rippling.

What is a Strattice Contour? How necessary is it for a breast lift and replacement of implants

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Answer: Strattice

Answer: Strattice

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What is a Strattice Contour? How necessary is it for a breast lift and replacement of implants

Answers (4)

Answer: Strattice

Answer: Strattice

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Revision

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.