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Acellular bovine pericardium in implant-based breast reconstruction: A systematic review of the literature

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European Journal of Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

The use of bovine acellular pericardium as a pectoral extender is a relatively newer biologic in prosthetic breast reconstruction. Fewer studies with smaller sample sizes have been conducted on the outcome and complications of its use lacking comprehensive data. We therefore reviewed the published literature and conducted a systematic review to summarise both aesthetic benefits and reported complications.

Methods

A literature search of electronic databases (Medline/PubMed and Embase) between January 2010 and July 2016 was conducted. The search terms breast reconstruction, Veritas®, bovine pericardial patch, bovine pericardium and acellular collagen matrix were used. Inclusion criteria were restricted to articles containing data on bovine pericardial collagen matrix used in breast reconstruction either immediate or delayed. Graph Pad Prism statistical software was used for summarising and depicting results.

Results

Data from 87 patients included in five articles which met the inclusion criteria were collated. In total, 135 procedures were performed using Veritas®. Sixty-six patients’ procedures were immediate reconstruction, 57 procedures were delayed reconstruction, and seven patients lack the details of the type of reconstruction. Complications were reported for 80 patients seroma was noticed in 12 patients (15%); skin necrosis was noticed in 5 patients (6.25%); infection was noticed in 6 patients (7.5%); and haematoma was noticed in 3 patients (3.75%). No patient presented with a capsular contracture. In total, 9 patients have received radiotherapy.

Conclusion

Use of acellular bovine pericardium is safe according to the results published in the literature so far. Randomised controlled study comparing acellular dermal matrix with acellular bovine pericardium using a similar group of patients with minimal or no inter surgeon variance are warranted to compare and contrast outcomes.

Level of Evidence: Not ratable

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Breast Surgery, Gateshead Health NHS Trust, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Gateshead, UK

    Uppara Mallikarjuna, Minahil Mujahid, Richard Pilkington, M Shaheer & Pervaz Mujahid

Authors
  1. Uppara Mallikarjuna
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  2. Minahil Mujahid
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  3. Richard Pilkington
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  4. M Shaheer
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  5. Pervaz Mujahid
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Uppara Mallikarjuna.

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Conflict of interest

Uppara Mallikarjuna, Minahil Mujahid, Richard Pilkington, Shaheer M and Pervaz Mujahid declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Funding

None of the authors have received any external funding from any source to conduct this systematic review. Authors have conducted this review to keep up-to-date with current knowledge; this study was conducted purely out of academic interest only.

Ethical approval

For this type of review article formal consent from a local ethics committee is not required. This article does not contain any studies with human participants performed by any of the authors.

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Mallikarjuna, U., Mujahid, M., Pilkington, R. et al. Acellular bovine pericardium in implant-based breast reconstruction: A systematic review of the literature. Eur J Plast Surg 40, 265–270 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-017-1284-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-017-1284-0

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