Cadaver Skin Placement

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jancookz
jancookz Member Posts: 5
edited December 2016 in Breast Reconstruction

Recently, I had failed implant replacement surgery (after 27 years, the saline implant was leaking) because my skin was so thin, the new implant split open an incision and I had to have the new implant removed. Now I am healing for several months before the doctor will consider putting in a new implant. He also said I needed cadaver tissue behind a new implant to support it. I am now concave, sunken inward with virtually no chest muscles or tissue over my ribs. Has anyone had cadaver tissue put in under an implant? I am hoping to have this surgery done in December, if I heal well by then. Please let me know if this worked for you--or not. I have pectus excavatum (sunken chest) from birth, but never really noticed it until this recent surgery. I would appreciate any info on the cadaver tissue re safety, effectiveness, etc. Thanks!

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2016

    I don't know if this is what your doctor is referring to, but many of us have Alloderm or similar types of acellular dermal matrices (cadaver skin) placed under our implants to support them. It's like an internal sling or bra band. I can't speak for everyone, but I have had mine for 5 years without any issues. Good luck to you.

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  • Lily55
    Lily55 Member Posts: 3,534
    edited October 2016

    The very idea of cadáver skin going in to my body really puts me off, sorry but I could not do this.  As a vegetarian I always ask for no cat gut in stitches too.......I wonder if they can use fat transfer to help your concave appearance?  Of there is enough skin there on outside of course.

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  • exbrnxgrl
    exbrnxgrl Member Posts: 12,424
    edited October 2016

    Yes, this could be problematic for vegetarians and vegans. Acellular means that all the cells have been removed and what is left is the collagen, which over time, integrates into your body. Similar products use animal collagen (still a problem for veg/vegans).

    These products are used for all sorts of soft tissue reconstruction, no just breasts. If you are not veg/vegan, what are your concerns?

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2016

    There is a completely synthetic matrix called TIGR mesh that can be used. I had a bi-lat repair in 2014 and it was used then as it is thought to be a bit stronger.

    http://novusscientific.com/row/products/tigr-matrix/


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  • MrsB88
    MrsB88 Member Posts: 83
    edited October 2016

    jancookz-Sorry you are going thru this but exbmxgrl & Special K have given you great info. on methods to provide support for your next implant. If you are veg/vegan then Lily55 offers a possible alternative as well. I just had revision surgery on 9/15 using Alloderm & it is completely safe. My results are really good and I'm glad to have the extra support because I plan on keeping these new girls for a long time.There is no chance of rejection based on the way it is processed beforehand. Angelina Jolie received Alloderm with her bmx and I only mention that because she can easily afford to get the best product available. Hope you heal quickly and in the meantime you can research the products mentioned above and discuss them with your PS. Good luck!

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  • jancookz
    jancookz Member Posts: 5
    edited October 2016

    Thanks so much for your answers and suggestions! I am not a vegan or vegetarian, but I can understand how this would be a serious issue. I trust the plastic surgeon to use whatever type of material he believes works best. This will be the 5th surgery on this same side, so it seems that I can just about play tic-tac-toe on this area, it is so covered with scars. I don't care what it looks like, but I do care about filling in that sunken cave. Hope the inside tissue starts healing and does okay, in prep for a new implant. I will check out the info all of you provided to see exactly what it is and how effective it is so that I can talk to the doc about it.

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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited October 2016

    jancookz - just wanted to also affirm to you that dermal matrix (human, bovine, porcine, and synthetic) is routinely used in most breast reconstruction today, particularly with thin pectorals, thin skin, or larger implants. It was used in my original mastectomy surgery to hold the expanders, and the expectation is that the body scars around the material incorporating it to provide infrastructure. I can identify with your many surgeries, my left side has had 15, and I spent 7 months without an expander after it was removed, and later 18 months without an implant. In addition to discussing options with your surgeon I would encourage you to make sure you are currently consuming adequate protein (aim for 100g daily), and consider supplementing with arnica, bromelaine, and zinc - all promote healing. Best to you

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  • redspark3
    redspark3 Member Posts: 224
    edited December 2016

    I have aloderm ( cadaver skin) for my silicone implant, which I've had now since April 2009. And, while I'm having problems with my implant, none of them are from the cadaver skin

    Best of luck!

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