Enhancing Breast Reconstruction with Bovine Pericardium: A Preliminary STEP (Surgical Techniques and Efficacy in Pericardium Use) Towards Improved Outcomes
Abstract
1. Introduction
2. Patients and Methods
3. Results
4. Discussion
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Institutional Review Board Statement
Informed Consent Statement
Data Availability Statement
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
IBR | Implant-based Breast Reconstruction |
SSM | Skin-Sparing Mastectomy |
NASM | Nipple–Areola-Sparing Mastectomy |
SM | Synthetic Mesh |
ADM | Acellular Dermal Matrix |
DTI | Direct-To-Implant |
TE | Temporary Expander |
DED | De-Epidermised Dermis |
hADM | human cadaver-derived Acellular Dermal Matrix |
APM | Acellular Pericardium Matrix |
ICG | IndoCyanine Green |
SRM | Skin-Reducing Mastectomy |
NAC | Nipple–Areola Complex |
References
- Snyderman, R.K.; Guthrie, R.H. Reconstruction of the female breast following radical mastectomy. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 1971, 47, 565–567. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ward, D.C.; Edwars, M.H. Early results of subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate silicone prosthetic implant for carcinoma of the breast. Br. J. Surg. 1983, 70, 651–653. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Schlenker, J.D.; Bueno, R.A.; Ricketson, G.; Lynch, J.B. Loss of silicone implants after subcutaneous mastectomy and reconstruction. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 1978, 62, 853–861. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gentil, F.; Callia, W.; de Souza e Sá, A.; Cavalcanti, S.; Garcia, E.; Giannotti Filho, O.; Varella, A.D. Mammary carcinoma—Multidisciplinary treatment with bilateral mastectomy and immediate reconstruction. J. Surg. Oncol. 1980, 14, 173–193. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- De Alcantara Filho, P.; Capko, D.; Barry, J.M.; Morrow, M.; Pusic, A.; Sacchini, V.S. Nipple-sparing mastectomy for breast cancer and risk-reducing surgery: The Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience. Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2011, 18, 3117–3122. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Casella, D.; Kaciulyte, J.; Resca, L.; Torto, F.L.; Luridiana, G.; Restaino, V.; Diluiso, G.; Neri, A.; Ribuffo, D.; Marcasciano, M. Looking beyond the prepectoral breast reconstruction experience: A systematic literature review on associated oncological safety and cancer recurrence incidence. Eur. J. Plast. Surg. 2021, 45, 223–231. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Romanoff, A.; Zabor, E.C.; Stempel, M.; Sacchini, V.; Pusic, A.; Morrow, M. A Comparison of Patient-Reported Outcomes After Nipple-Sparing Mastectomy and Conventional Mastectomy with Reconstruction. Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2018, 25, 2909–2916. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kaoutzanis, C.; Winocour, J.; Unger, J.; Gabriel, A.; Maxwell, G.P. The Evolution of Breast Implants. Semin. Plast. Surg. 2019, 33, 217–223. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Casella, D.; Bernini, M.; Bencini, L.; Roselli, J.; Lacaria, M.T.; Martellucci, J.; Banfi, R.; Calabrese, C.; Orzalesi, L. TiLoop® Bra mesh used for immediate breast reconstruction: Comparison of retropectoral and subcutaneous implant placement in a prospective single-institution series. Eur. J. Plast. Surg. 2014, 37, 599–604. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Berna, G.; Cawthorn, S.J.; Papaccio, G.; Balestrieri, N. Evolution of a novel breast reconstruction technique using the braxon® acellular dermal matrix: A new muscle sparing breast reconstruction. ANZ J. Surg. 2014, 87, 493–498. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Kim, S.E. Prepectoral breast reconstruction. Yeungnam Univ. J. Med. 2019, 36, 201–207. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Jones, G.; Antony, A.K. Single stage, direct to implant pre-pectoral breast reconstruction. Gland. Surg. 2019, 8, 53–60. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vidya, R.; Iqbal, F.M.; Becker, H.; Zhadan, O. Rippling Associated with Pre-Pectoral Implant Based Breast Reconstruction: A New Grading System. World J. Plast. Surg. 2019, 8, 311–315. [Google Scholar]
- Calabrese, C.; Kothari, A.; Badylak, S.; Di Taranto, G.; Marcasciano, M.; Sordi, S.; Barellini, L.; Lo Torto, F.; Tarallo, M.; Gaggelli, I.; et al. Oncological safety of stromal vascular fraction enriched fat grafting in two-stage breast reconstruction after nipple sparing mastectomy: Long-term results of a prospective study. Eur. Rev. Med. Pharmacol. Sci. 2018, 22, 4768–4777. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
- Gschwantler-Kaulich, D.; Schrenk, P.; Bjelic-Radisic, V.; Unterrieder, K.; Leser, C.; Fink-Retter, A.; Salama, M.; Singer, C. Mesh versus acellular dermal matrix in immediate implant-based breast reconstruction—A prospective randomized trial. Eur. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016, 42, 665–671. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Samaha, Y.; Chen, J.; Ray, E.C. ADMs and synthetic meshes improve implant-based breast reconstruction aesthetics, but at what cost? J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthetic Surg. 2023, 80, 178–181. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Casella, D.; Kaciulyte, J.; Lo Torto, F.; Mori, F.L.R.; Barellini, L.; Fausto, A.; Fanelli, B.; Greco, M.; Ribuffo, D.; Marcasciano, M. “To Pre or Not to Pre”: Introduction of a Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction Assessment Score to Help Surgeons Solving the Decision-Making Dilemma. Retrospective Results of a Multicenter Experience. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2021, 147, 1278–1286. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gierek, M.; Łabuś, W.; Kitala, D.; Lorek, A.; Ochała-Gierek, G.; Zagórska, K.M.; Waniczek, D.; Szyluk, K.; Niemiec, P. Human Acellular Dermal Matrix in Reconstructive Surgery—A Review. Biomedicines 2022, 10, 2870. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tognetti, L.; Pianigiani, E.; Ierardi, F.; Lorenzini, G.; Casella, D.; Liso, F.G.; De Pascalis, A.; Cinotti, E.; Rubegni, P. The use of human acellular dermal matrices in advanced wound healing and surgical procedures: State of the art. Dermatol. Ther. 2021, 34, e14987. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Eichler, C.; Efremova, J.; Brunnert, K.; Kurbacher, C.M.; Gluz, O.; Puppe, J.; Warm, M. A Head to Head Comparison Between SurgiMend®—Fetal Bovine Acellular Dermal Matrix and Tutomesh®—A Bovine Pericardium Collagen Membrane in Breast Reconstruction in 45 Cases. In Vivo 2017, 31, 677–682. [Google Scholar]
- Borgognone, A.; Anniboletti, T.; De Vita, F. Does Veritas® play a role in breast reconstruction? A case report. Breast Cancer 2011, 3, 175–177. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gao, P.; Wang, X.; Bai, P.; Kong, X.; Wang, Z.; Fang, Y.; Wang, J. Clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction with the use of biological and synthetic meshes in one-stage implant-based breast reconstruction. Breast Cancer 2022, 29, 450–457. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Choi, Y.S.; You, H.J.; Lee, T.Y.; Kim, D.W. Comparing Complications of Biologic and Synthetic Mesh in Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis. Arch. Plast. Surg. 2023, 50, 3–9. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Wagner, R.D.; Braun, T.L.; Zhu, H.; Winocour, S. A systematic review of complications in prepectoral breast reconstruction. J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthetic Surg. 2019, 72, 1051–1059. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Kaciulyte, J.; Sordi, S.; Luridiana, G.; Marcasciano, M.; Torto, F.L.; Cavalieri, E.; Codolini, L.; Cuomo, R.; Rozen, W.M.; Seth, I.; et al. Size Does Matter: Mastectomy Flap Thickness as an Independent Decisional Factor for the Peri-Prosthetic Device Choice in Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 7459. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Breuing, K.H.; Warren, S.M. Immediate bilateral breast reconstruction with implants and inferolateral AlloDerm slings. Ann. Plast. Surg. 2005, 55, 232–239. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Cheng, A.; Saint-Cyr, M. Comparison of different ADM materials in breast surgery. Clin. Plast. Surg. 2012, 39, 167–175. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Edinger, K.M.; Afifi, A.M. Meshes and implants in prepectoral breast reconstruction: Selecting the right one. In Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction: Current Trends and Techniques, 2023rd ed.; Vidy, R., Becker, H., Eds.; Springer: Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany, 2023. [Google Scholar]
- Tellarini, A.; Garutti, L.; Corno, M.; Tamborini, F.; Paganini, F.; Fasoli, V.; Di Giovanna, D.; Valdatta, L. Immediate post-mastectomy prepectoral breast reconstruction with animal derived acellular dermal matrices: A systematic review. J. Plast. Reconstr. Aesthetic Surg. 2023, 86, 94–108. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Hille-Betz, U.; Kniebusch, N.; Wojcinski, S.; Henseler, H.; Heyl, V.; Ohlinger, R.; Paepke, S.; Klapdor, R.; Krause-Bergmann, B. Breast reconstruction and revision surgery for implant-associated breast deformities using porcine acellular dermal matrix: A multicenter study of 156 cases. Ann. Surg. Oncol. 2015, 22, 1146–1152. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Castagnetti, F.; Bertani, C.; Foroni, M.; Falco, G.; Cenini, E.; De Bonis, F.; Ferrari, G. The Bovine Pericardium Matrix in Immediate Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction. Aesthetic Plast. Surg. 2020, 44, 2051–2060. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Yin, Z.; Wang, H.; Liu, Y.; Wang, Y.; Chang, E.I.; Yin, J. Single-Institution Algorithm for Prevention and Management of Complications in Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2022, 150, 48S–60S. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gaster, R.S.; Berger, A.J.; Monica, S.D.; Sweeney, R.T.; Endress, R.; Lee, G.K. Histologic analysis of fetal bovine derived acellular dermal matrix in tissue expander breast reconstruction. Ann. Plast. Surg. 2013, 70, 447–453. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Casella, D.; Calabrese, C.; Bianchi, S.; Meattini, I.; Bernini, M. Subcutaneous tissue expander placement with synthetic titanium-coated mesh in breast reconstruction: Long-term results. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. Glob. Open 2016, 3, e577. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Rolph, R.; Farhadi, J. The use of meshes and matrices in breast reconstruction. Br. J. Hosp. Med. 2018, 79, 454–459. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Sigalove, S.; Maxwell, G.P.; Sigalove, N.M.; Storm-Dickerson, T.L.; Pope, N.; Rice, J.; Gabriel, A. Prepectoral implant-based breast reconstruction: Rationale, indications, and preliminary results. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2017, 139, 287–294. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Nahabedian, M.Y. What are the long-term aesthetic issues in prepectoral breast reconstruction? Aesthetic Surg. J. 2020, 40, S29–S37. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bentzon, T.T.; Abu-Khalil, M.; Venzo, A.; Matzen, D.R.; Damsgaard, T.E. Immediate prepectoral breast reconstruction using bovine pericardium matrix. Dan. Med. J. 2025, 72, A08240522. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pantelides, N.M.; Srinivasan, J.R. Rippling Following Breast Augmentation or Reconstruction: Aetiology, Emerging Treatment Options and a Novel Classification of Severity. Aesthetic Plast. Surg. 2018, 42, 980–985. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mallikarjuna, U.; Mujahid, M.; Pilkington, R.; Shaheer, M.; Mujahid, P. Acellular bovine pericardium in implant-based breastreconstruction: A systematic review of the literature. Eur. J. Plast. Surg. 2017, 40, 265–270. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Fanzio, P.; Hammer, J.; Van Laeken, N. Recognizing and Managing Breast Implant Complications: A Review for Healthcare Providers Who Treat Women Who Underwent Breast Implant-Based Surgery. Int. J. Women’s Health 2025, 17, 1297–1312. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Brown, M.H.; Shenker, R.; Silver, S.A. Cohesive silicone gel breast implants in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 2005, 116, 768–779. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Pittman, T.A.; Abbate, O.A.; Economides, J.M. The P1 method: Prepectoral breast reconstruction to minimize the palpable implant edge and upper pole rippling. Ann. Plast. Surg. 2018, 80, 487–492. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Ryu, D.H.; Joo, O.Y.; Roh, Y.H.; Yang, E.J.; Song, S.Y.; Lee, D.W. Associated Factors and Prevention of Upper Pole Rippling in Prepectoral Direct-to-Implant Breast Reconstruction. Arch. Plast. Surg. 2023, 50, 541–549. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Amro, C.; Sorenson, T.J.; Boyd, C.J.; Hemal, K.; Vernice, N.A.; Park, J.J.; Cohen, O.D.; Choi, M.; Karp, N.S. The Evolution of Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Innovations, Trends, and Future Directions. J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13, 7407. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Characteristics | Value (%) |
No. of patients | 19 |
Age, yr | |
Mean | 54.4 |
Range | 39–70 |
BMI Kg/m2 | |
Mean | 22 |
Range | 19–25 |
Smoking | |
Active smokers | 3 (15.8) |
Ex-smokers | 4 (21) |
Never smokers | 12 (63.2) |
Not-controlled Diabetes | 1 (5.3) |
Not-controlled Hypertension | 2 (10.5) |
Previous Radiotherapy | 2 (10.5) |
Previous Breast Surgery | 7 (36.8) |
Breast Ptosis (grade II or III) | 6 (31.6) |
Pre-Bra Score | 6–8 (7.2) |
Characteristics | Value (%) |
Total number of mastectomies | 20 |
monolateral | 18 (90) |
bilateral | 2 (10) |
Type of mastectomy | |
SSM | 5 (25) |
NASM | 9 (45) |
SRM | 6 (30) |
Type of pre-pectoral breast reconstruction | |
Two-stage with TE | 20 (100) |
Axillary surgery | |
SNB | 19 (95) |
Mastectomy flaps’ thickness | |
Average | 0.75 cm |
Range | 0.5–0.8 cm |
Value (%) | |
Early complication | 2 (10) |
Seroma | 1 (5) |
Surgical wound dehiscence | 1 (5) |
Hematoma | 0 |
Infection | 0 |
Late complication | 5 (25) |
Rippling | 5 (25) |
Disclaimer/Publisher’s Note: The statements, opinions and data contained in all publications are solely those of the individual author(s) and contributor(s) and not of MDPI and/or the editor(s). MDPI and/or the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to people or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content. |
© 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Casella, D.; Rocco, N.; Luridiana, G.; Marcasciano, M.; Zerini, I.; Sordi, S.; Neri, A.; Catanuto, G.; Ferrando, P.M.; Kaciulyte, J. Enhancing Breast Reconstruction with Bovine Pericardium: A Preliminary STEP (Surgical Techniques and Efficacy in Pericardium Use) Towards Improved Outcomes. J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14, 6296. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176296
Casella D, Rocco N, Luridiana G, Marcasciano M, Zerini I, Sordi S, Neri A, Catanuto G, Ferrando PM, Kaciulyte J. Enhancing Breast Reconstruction with Bovine Pericardium: A Preliminary STEP (Surgical Techniques and Efficacy in Pericardium Use) Towards Improved Outcomes. Journal of Clinical Medicine. 2025; 14(17):6296. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176296
Chicago/Turabian StyleCasella, Donato, Nicola Rocco, Gianluigi Luridiana, Marco Marcasciano, Irene Zerini, Silvia Sordi, Alessandro Neri, Giuseppe Catanuto, Pietro Maria Ferrando, and Juste Kaciulyte. 2025. "Enhancing Breast Reconstruction with Bovine Pericardium: A Preliminary STEP (Surgical Techniques and Efficacy in Pericardium Use) Towards Improved Outcomes" Journal of Clinical Medicine 14, no. 17: 6296. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176296
APA StyleCasella, D., Rocco, N., Luridiana, G., Marcasciano, M., Zerini, I., Sordi, S., Neri, A., Catanuto, G., Ferrando, P. M., & Kaciulyte, J. (2025). Enhancing Breast Reconstruction with Bovine Pericardium: A Preliminary STEP (Surgical Techniques and Efficacy in Pericardium Use) Towards Improved Outcomes. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 14(17), 6296. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176296