Strattice™
Reconstructive Tissue Matrix
Strattice™ Reconstructive
Tissue Matrix is a product produced the company KCI. It is a sterile
reconstructive matrix of tissue which supports the regeneration of tissue, that
is it supports the re-growth of body tissues.
StratticeTM is
derived from porcine dermis (in simple terms from pig’s skin) and it undergoes
extensive processing in order to remove the porcine cells. This process helps
to minimise the main element believed to play a key role in the process of
organ or tissue rejection, known as “xenogenic rejection response”.
The developers of the product have shown that Strattice™ can help in
rapid revascularization (re-growth of blood vessels), cell repopulation
(re-growth of cells) and leukocyte migration (white blood cells – which are
essential components of the immune system that help to fight infection) as
early as 2 weeks after the implantation of StratticeTM, and mature
vascular structures (that is blood vessels) at 6 months after the implantation
of StratticeTM.
Strattice mesh used in breast reconstruction surgery
At present, Strattice™ is mainly recommended for the re-enforcement of
soft tissues, such as in repairs of complex hernias, and in oncoplastic
operations of breast reconstruction, usually after mastectomies for breast
cancer.
The main advantages of StratticeTM in breast
reconstructive surgery are listed below:
StratticeTM helps to optimise the aesthetic results,
that is it helps to make the reconstructive breast look and feel as natural as
possible. It achieves this by providing additional tissue to cover the breast
implant in cases where extensive tissue resection has been required, and
therefore there was not sufficient amount of tissue left to adequately cover
the breast implant used in breast reconstruction.
StratticeTM can also help to control the location of the
breast implant. It achieves this by helping to define the inframammary (below
the breast) and lateral (outside) mammary folds (breast folds). StratticeTM can
also help conceal the visibility of the internal breast implant, and therefore
it can help to produce a more natural-looking breast.
Schematic diagram showing the potential final outcome following breast reconstruction surgery using the Strattice mesh. Please note that this is for illustration purposes only.
Moreover, StratticeTM can also help to reduce the risk
of some of the complications of breast reconstruction. It can help conceal the
palpability of the internal breast implant and can help prevent the extrusion
or “bottoming out” of the internal breast implant.
StratticeTM can
also help to prevent thinning of the skin flap and retraction of the pectoralis
major muscle, the main muscle underneath the breast. This effect helps to
minimise the need raise another local muscle during surgery, the serratus
anterior muscle.
Additionally, StratticeTM also helps to control the
location of the internal breast implant. The matrix acts like an
"internal bra" which helps support the implant and therefore assists
the surgeon performing the breast reconstruction to control the size of the
pocket.
Furthermore, StratticeTM can support the repairs for
malposition (incorrect position) of the reconstructed breast folds. The
Strattice™ matrix can be used to re-define and support a new breast fold
inferiorly (underneath) or laterally (on the outside part of the breast).
StratticeTM can also help to hide the appearance of
implant wrinkles or ripples and irregular breast contours (shapes). It mainly
achieves this by providing support to the breast implant, and controlling the
pocket size.
Source: NHS Choices
Source: NHS Choices