Does Acellular Dermal Matrix became absorbed by the body, or does it stay put but integrated into the body?

Question

I had my implants changed 6 months ago, went a size up, so pockets had to be made larger. I had a Bovine ADM sling in one breast that was placed after I bottomed out after a car crash. Now I can feel that breast sitting lower again, and I can feel something at the bottom of that breast! He admitted he forgot about the sling, and cut right through while making the pocket bigger, but that it would be gone by now, told me it can not be the sling as it would be absorbed by my body??

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

Most dermal grafts are gradually replaced by your own tissue, but some, especially the human kind, do remain in the scar tissue created. going back in, the surgeon usually finds thicker tissue in the area treated.  Also, dermal grafts can stretch and thin with weight of implants.  Stretching of dermal grafts is very commonly seen after hernia repairs.

Steven Mapula, MD · Answer

Acellular dermal matrices can at times disintegrate early on, but if they work as intended, they actually will become incorporate into your soft tissues to add strength.

Does Acellular Dermal Matrix became absorbed by the body, or does it stay put but integrated into the body?

Answers (2)