Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Using TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh: Clinical Outcomes From Our First 100 Procedures

TL;DR

This study evaluates the use of TIGR® Matrix Surgical Mesh in breast reconstruction, finding it to be safe and cost-effective with acceptable complication rates.

Contribution

The study provides new clinical data on TIGR® Mesh as a synthetic alternative to ADMs in breast reconstruction.

Findings

TIGR® Mesh showed infection and seroma rates within the lower range for synthetic meshes.

Heavier mastectomy specimens were associated with fewer lipofilling sessions.

Implant loss occurred in 10 cases, but reconstructions were possible in subsequent procedures.

Abstract

Background

Implant-based reconstruction has advanced with the introduction of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs). However, ADMs are associated with higher complication rates. Synthetic meshes have emerged as cost-effective alternatives. This retrospective, single-center study evaluates the clinical outcomes of immediate implant-based breast reconstruction with TIGR® Mesh (Novus Scientific, Uppsala, Sweden) on 76 patients (100 breasts) performed between February 2020 and June 2022.

Methods

Eligible patients were ≥18 years old with no major comorbidities and underwent direct-to-implant (DTI) mastectomy. Complications were assessed using the Clavien-Dindo classification (grade III or higher). Cosmetic outcomes were refined with lipofilling when required.

Results

The mean patient age was 45.5 years, with a mean follow-up of 17.3 months. Twelve mesh-related grade III complications were observed (10 infections and two seromas) over a total of 21 events. Implant loss occurred in 10 cases, which were later reconstructed in a subsequent procedure. No variable was identified as a significant predictor of complications. A significant inverse correlation (p=0.03) was found between mastectomy weight and complication rate, with lower weights associated with higher risk. Additionally, 57 reconstructions required at least one lipofilling session, with heavier mastectomy specimens needing fewer sessions.

Conclusions

TIGR® Mesh demonstrated an acceptable safety profile, with infection and seroma rates falling within the lower range reported for synthetic meshes and lower than most ADM series. Its cost-effectiveness and favorable outcomes support its use in selected patients. Further prospective studies are warranted to confirm these findings.

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