Silicone Implant Exchange with Lift and Strattice for Symmastia - are drains necessary?

Strattice is an acellular dermal matrix, which is a biological material that becomes living tissue as your body grows blood vessels into it and cells move in. In order for this to happen, there has to be good contact between the Strattice and your tissue. Suction drains ensure this and not using them risks the material not surviving. The drains need to be in for a minimum of 5 days.

Hi Ang. I commonly perform implant revision surgeries utilizing Strattice. I have found that typically, the complication rate after surgery is reduced with the use of drains. Using a biologic mesh (such as Strattice) can cause an over-production of seroma type fluid and the presence of this fluid in the breast pocket can prevent the mesh from appropriately adhering or healing to the tissues. Drains can prevent this build-up of fluid or seromas, from accumulating. Stabilizing the skin over the mesh using clear (tegaderm) dressings is also a common practice to ensure that the strattice adheres in the pocket but doesn't replace the use of drains in my experience. Implant revision surgeries can be a challenge, so I highly recommend seeking out a board-certified plastic surgeon that specializes in surgery of the breast and is very experienced in implant revisions. Best of luck in your aesthetic journey!

Whenever I use a material like Strattice or AlloDerm in the breast that takes some weeks to integrate and grow into your tissues, I use a drain. The reason for this is fluid or blood collections can interfere with the ingrowth of your tissues into the material (which is not living tissue) and this can promote infection (which would require implant removal, which is something I never want to do)