Is mesh with a breast implant safe? I’ve read the mesh can be toxic and cause infection easier.

I wrote the chapter on breast augmentation revision with Strattice and other materials and techniques in Annals of Plastic Surgery with other surgeons and professors at Harvard.  However, I certainly do not use it in every revision.  I use it in probably 1 out of every 20 revisions for very specific indications in which there is an intrinsic laxity of tissues and poor local tissue support.  This will largely be a function of the indication for the usage of Strattice.  If it is used in recurrent capsular contracture, the concern would be different than if it were used to help in pocket reconstruction or prevention of bottoming out.Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

Hello and thank you for your question.  I have used mesh in many revision breast surgery cases for bottoming out or implant malposition.  Galaflex is the mesh I prefer and is extremely safe.  There is a mesh many surgeons used to use called Seri Scaffold which was associated with infections and it is no longer used for this reason. I recommend
that you seek consultation with a qualified board-certified plastic surgeon who
can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.  FACS
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  At times mesh is required in some women's breast procedures to help support the weight of an implant by reinforcing the natural skin tissues.  This is on a case by case basis and must be discussed at length with your surgeon.  Hope this helps.

I am a big fan of mesh in revision breast surgery. For non-capsule support cases I most often use Galaflex mesh. No infections in well over 100 cases. For capsule cases or very poor skin quality I use Strattice. Had 2 infections in 227 cases to date with Strattice.

Hi. To give more support to the implants I prefer to placed them under the pectoral muscles. Till now I haven't use a mesh.International Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS)
Member of the International Confedaration of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (IPRAS)

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.Best wishes!

Mesh is not routinely used in breast implant surgery.  However, if your breasts have a deformity, often the result of previous surgery, then mesh used with the implants may be a great option.  Mesh is generally,a non- toxic material, often a form of plastic that is used to reinforce an area such as the bottom of the breast. 
 Any foreign object that is placed in your body increases the risk of an infection.  This is true of mesh, breast implants, pacemakers, orthopedic hardware, etc...   Discuss the mesh and your concerns with your surgeon and good luck.

  There are always trade-offs, risks/benefits to different procedures.  Placing mesh during a breast procedure can increase some risks of fluid collection or infection as well as cost, and so aren't performed routinely.  However if there is a condition that cannot be treated satisfactorily without a mesh, then the risks may be worth the benefit of a good result.  Ultimately this is something you and your surgeon will need to discuss and understand what the options/risks/benefits are for you.

Dear Melesatl,Hello and thank you for your excellent question.  If you are considering a breast implant revision with mesh, I agree with other comments on this thread -  there are a number of products that are available, such as galaflex and strattice, that are safe and frequently used for this purpose. It is best to answer your question during a face-to-face evaluation, when you can discuss your goals and expectations for the procedure, and you can have a physical examination to evaluate for that procedure. I recommend that you find a board-certified, or board-eligible plastic surgeon with whom you are comfortable. Be sure to have all of your questions answered during a face-to-face meeting with your surgeon, and review before and after pictures of similar patients whom have had this procedure. If you have any questions, call our office for assistance. Good luck!

Best,

Jon Ver Halen, MD FACS

Harvard educated plastic surgeon

Texas “Top Doc” 2017, 2018

RealSelf100

America’s Top Plastic Surgeons, Consumer’s Research Council, 2010 - 2018