What is A Dermal Matrix?

Hello! Thank you for your question! The use of the acellular dermal matrix has grown in its applications and use in plastic & reconstructive procedures, and growing. It has truly been a remarkable addition for breast reconstruction.  The acellular dermal matrix is a tissue that is specially-prepared, which comes from cadaveric skin. It is placed on the inside, not on your skin. It has been processed in such a way that the basement membrane and cellular matrix remain intact, while removing all other cellular components that may lead to both rejection and infection. Packages as a sterile tissue product, due to its preparation, the chance of acquiring viruses and such is nearly absent.Its applications for breast reconstruction alone include its use in tissue expander/implant reconstruction, to act as a "hammock" at the inferior portion of the breast for which the implant lies within. This creates a natural "sling" which mimics the ptosis (sag) of the breast, while supporting it in place. By suturing this matrix to its exact position of the breast margins, the plastic surgeon is able to precisely recreate an excellent contour for your breast, especially at the inferior, medial, and lateral positions. This also minimizes migration of the implant, as sometimes seen with "bottoming out" inferiorly or its displacement into the axilla (armpit). In addition to its increased aesthetic results, the acellular dermal matrix provides additional coverage over your implant. This is especially useful in those instances of dehiscence (your incision opening up), thus protecting the implant from exposure, and threatening its necessity for removal. Furthermore, in cases where the overlying mastectomy flaps are thin or damaged, leading to partial flap necrosis, the tissue matrix again provides a coverage over your implant, which can heal over time or a graft placed over the are or simply closed. Lastly, the additional coverage lessens implant visibility and palpability and is a great adjunct for revisionary breast surgery. The use of this matrix, along with the advantages listed above, has reduced the time of the reconstructive portion of the procedure as well. There is less pectoralis muscle retraction and eliminates the need to raise any other surrounding muscles in order to achieve complete implant coverage. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

An ADM is used with many applications in plastic surgery but it is most important with breast cancer reconstruction. It allows better soft tissue healing and defines the lower crease.

Dermal matrix also known as acellular dermal matrix(ADM) is a tissue product harvested from either animal or human skin.   The skin has three layers and this product is harvested from the middle layer where the structural and strength components are located.       Each company has their proprietary processing system that removes all of the cells so the patient's body can't react to this product.    This way patients can NOT have reactions (for example allergic) to the product.  You can think of it as channels of building blocks for future development of patients tissue as new blood vessels form and the tissue becomes part of the patients breast pocket.   Acellular Dermal Matrices (ADMs) have revolutionized breast reconstruction.  

Acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) are materials used in reconstructive as well as aesthetic surgeries.  They are made up of either human cadaver dermis or animal dermis (most often the pig).  The dermis is the deep layer of skin.  These sheets of dermis have been processed so all of the cellular components have been removed.  It is often used in breast reconstruction to provide an internal sling for the tissue expander or implant.  The patient's body does not mount a significant inflammatory reaction against these implanted tissues because there are no cells within them to be deemed as "foreign."  These ADMs act as a trellis or scaffold for the new breast construct.  There are risks with these materials, however.  They include infection, scarring, fluid build up, and rippling.  When an ADM is used, a drain is necessary to remove any fluid that may occur in the pocket.  Your plastic surgeon will be the one to remove that drain, usually about 1-3 weeks after the procedure.  ADMs are an excellent adjunct in breast reconstruction and have helped plastic surgeons achieve more lasting results.  They are also used in revisionary surgery.Hope this helps.  Good luck!