Prepectoral Dual-Port Tissue Expander Placement

Abstract

Objectives The most common method of performing breast reconstruction after a mastectomy is using tissue expanders. Significant drainage that can lead to seromas and possible infection is a common sequela after mastectomies, and therefore, closed suction drains are routinely placed during the initial surgery (Vardanian et al. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011;128:403–410). Drains, however, are associated with increased pain and discomfort for the patient and have been attributed to an increased infection rate by some authors (Degnim et al. Ann Surg. 2013;258:240–247; Saratzis et al. Clin Breast Cancer. 2009;9:243–246). We report on our experience using a dual-chamber tissue expander placed in the prepectoral space without acellular dermal matrix or other supportive material, which allows for drainage of periprosthetic fluid and avoids drain placement. Patients and Methods A retrospective, single-institution review of patients' records was performed for all patients who underwent prepectoral tissue expander placement between January 2018 and June 2019. Patients who had drains placed or who underwent autologous reconstruction in combination with expander placement were excluded. Thirty-nine patients were selected, with a total of 66 expander placements. Demographics including body mass index, comorbidities, history of smoking or steroid use, perioperative chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and intraoperative details and indications for surgery were retrospectively collected. Outcomes were separated into minor and major complications. Major complications were defined as complications that required surgical intervention. Results There were 51 prepectoral reconstructions with a dual-chamber tissue expander and no further surgical drain and 15 reconstructions using a standard expander with an additional closed suction drain. Overall complications for the no-drain cohort were 13.7% compared with 20% in the drain cohort (P = 0.68). Surgical site infection rate is 7.84% in the no-drain cohort compared with 13.3% in the drain cohort (P = 0.61). Mean numeric postoperative pain score at 6 hours was 3.2 in the no-drain cohort compared with 4.3 in the drain cohort (P = 0.03) and 4.17 compared with 5.6 at 12 hours, respectively (P = 0.04). Mean time to exchange of implant in the no-drain cohort was 152 days versus 126 days in the drain cohort (P = 0.38). Median follow-up times were 157 days for the no-drain cohort and 347 days for the drain cohort. Conclusions Immediate breast reconstruction using a dual-chamber tissue expander offers a drain-free alternative to the immediate implant-based breast reconstruction. Our infection rate with 7.8% is lower than our own reported rates with subpectoral tissue expander reconstruction using either acellular dermal matrix or poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (17% and 11%). The overall complication rate is similar to historic data associated with breast reconstruction after mastectomy and suggests that dual-chamber expander placement offers a safe alternative possibly decreasing the patient's postoperative pain and discomfort that often is associated with closed suction drains (Saratzis et al. Clin Breast Cancer. 2009;9:243–246).

Dosimetric characterization of single- and dual-port temporary tissue expanders for postmastectomy radiotherapy using Monte Carlo methods

“…One port is used for traditional saline injection, and the second facilitates fluid drainage. This feature of dual ports enables independent management of postoperative seroma and thereby reducing the rate of infection by 7.8% as shown retrospectively for the AlloX2 TTE ( 6 ).…”

Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction Without the Use of Acellular Dermal Matrix: A 3-Year Review

“…Tissue expanders were then placed in the prepectoral space, anchored with a 2-0 PDS suture at the suture tabs, and mastectomy skin redraped over the tissue expander. The predominant tissue expander used in this cohort was a dual-chamber tissue expander, which houses an internal drain system 17 . When this implant was used, no externalized drains were placed.…”

“…The predominant tissue expander used in this cohort was a dual-chamber tissue expander, which houses an internal drain system. 17 When this implant was used, no externalized drains were placed. If an alternative tissue expander was selected, at least 1 No.…”

Toward Drainless Breast Reconstruction: A Pilot Study

“… 7 , 8 Expanding upon the Ziedler study, Franck et al utilized dual-port expanders, comparing a cohort with and without drains to show the feasibility of the technique, but did not have patient-reported outcomes. 9 …”

“…7,8 Expanding upon the Ziedler study, Franck et al utilized dual-port expanders, comparing a cohort with and without drains to show the feasibility of the technique, but did not have patient-reported outcomes. 9 In an effort to demonstrate the feasibility of avoiding drains with this new type of tissue expander, along with an emphasis on patient satisfaction, we conducted a pilot study with five consecutive patients. Each underwent bilateral mastectomies with immediate dual-lumen tissue expander placement and removal of suction drains before discharge from the hospital on postoperative day 1.…”