Synthetic Reabsorbable Mesh (GalaFLEX) as Soft Tissues Adjunct in Breast Augmentation Revision Surgery


 
 
 A significant number of patients with a previous submuscular breast augmentation require a revision surgical procedure during their long-term follow-up period that involves implant pocket change from submuscular to subglandular. Reduced soft tissues thickness represent a major concern that would discourage surgeon to undertake this approach.
 
 
 
 The authors sought to determine whether a synthetic resorbable mesh use as supplemental covering device was safe and yielded improved soft tissues thickness and protection against capsular contracture in patients that undergo implant plane shift to subglandular.
 
 
 
 A retrospective review of 34 patients who underwent revision of a previous breast augmentation involving implant change in a subglandular pocket and upper pole GalaFLEX (Galatea Surgical, Lexington, MA, USA) mesh coverage was conducted. Minor and major complications onset were recorded during short and medium-term follow-up. Patient satisfaction was assessed via an anonymous questionnaire administered 6 months postoperatively.
 
 
 
 During our follow-up period that ranged from a minimum of 6 months to a maximum of 28 months we did not report minor or major complications. In particular we did not observe wrinkling/rippling or significant capsular contracture onset. High levels of patients’ satisfaction were determined, according to self-reporting questionnaires.
 
 
 
 Initial results of this preliminary report from our case series demonstrate the safety of GalaFLEX as supplemental device in terms of improved soft tissue coverage of the implant for complex revisional cases in breast augmentation.
