How Porcine Acellular Dermal Matrix Influences the Development of the Breast Capsule 1 Year after Implantation: A Histopathological Analysis.

Background: In prepectoral breast reconstruction (PPBR) the acellular dermal matrix (ADM)'s integration capacity into the tissue is known. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of the ADM on development and composition of the peri-implant breast capsule in a dynamic setting of breast tissue expansion during two-stage prepectoral breast reconstruction. Methods: This is a prospective single-center study in which 50 patients who underwent mastectomy and breast reconstruction with prepectoral tissue expander and Braxon ADM (group A) and submuscular tissue expander (group B) were enrolled. One-year post implantation hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry analyses were done on capsule tissue samples. Results: The analysis conducted on H&E-stained samples showed a significant reduction of cellular density and a decrease of the cellular infiltration in capsules of ADM-covered expanders compared with naked expander capsules (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical analyses showed that group A capsules presented significantly less M1 CD68+ macrophages (P < 0.05), lower alfa-SMA expression levels, and a lower number of myofibroblasts (P < 0.05) compared with group B capsules. Presence of lymphatic vessels was minimally detected in both groups. Conclusions: The ADM presence around the prepectoral tissue expander influences the development of the peri-implant capsule, causing a significant reduction of the number of cells and inflammatory infiltrate, especially M1 macrophages and myofibroblasts. The ADM Braxon is therefore effective in creating a noninflamed capsule around the implant and in dynamic tissue conditions, and such an environment is maintained in time.

Sub-muscular Reconstruction after NAC Sparing Mastectomy: Direct to Implant Breast Reconstruction with Human ADM Versus Tissue Expander.

BACKGROUND: Nipple areola complex (NAC) sparing mastectomy allows good oncological and aesthetic results. The study compares the results, in terms of self-evaluated satisfaction and symmetry, of direct to implant (DTI) sub-muscular breast reconstruction, with the aid of human acellular dermal matrix (ADM) versus two-stage reconstruction with sub-muscular tissue expander, followed by implant. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective, observational, single-center, non-randomized, case-control study. Inclusion criteria were: unilateral NAC sparing mastectomy at Forlì Hospital between 2014 and 2018; sub-muscular reconstruction; minimum follow-up of 12 months from the reconstructive stage; no history of radiotherapy. Patients were divided into two groups: group A included patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction with the aid of human ADM; group B were those who underwent a two-stage reconstruction with tissue expander then implant. We collected data on: (1) Self-evaluated satisfaction by Breast Q questionnaire (scores from 0 to 100). (2) Observer-evaluated symmetry. Bi-dimensional photographs were collected and evaluated by 11 breast surgeons blinded to each other, who assigned a score for symmetry (from 0 to 10). (3) Symmetry of anthropometric measures collected by hand and volume estimated by Breast V application. RESULTS: Group A included 28 patients; group included B 26 patients. Breast-Q questionnaires reported the following results: satisfaction with breasts in group A 65 ± 12 versus group B 68 ± 14; satisfaction with outcome in group A 88 ± 16 versus group B 93 ± 11; psychosocial well-being in group A 71 ± 20 versus group B 76 ± 17; sexual well-being in group A 63 ± 26 versus group B 60 ± 13; physical well-being in group A 68 ± 15 versus group B 60 ± 12. The average symmetry breast score assigned to group A was 6.9, versus group B 7.2. Regarding the anthropometric measures in group A, the differences between right and left were major to those in group B. Regarding breast volume, the mean difference between right and left in group A was 31.89 cc ± 24.97, whereas in group B was 25.46 cc ± 23.59. CONCLUSION: Our data show better symmetry and better psychosocial well-being in the two-stage reconstruction, and higher satisfaction with sexual and physical well-being in DTI reconstructions. These aspects should be discussed with the patient while collecting the informed consent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .

[The diagnostic admission in an internal medicine service: clinical and economic aspects]. / Il ricovero diagnostico in medicina interna: efficacia clinica, impatto economico, criticità.

Efficacy and costs of the diagnostic process have been under extensive investigation for a long time. In this study we present a detailed, retrospective analysis of the clinical and economic aspects of 347 diagnostic admissions in a teaching hospital. We have, furthermore, investigated the clinical history of a group of 50 patients, from the beginning up to one year after definitive diagnosis, through a structured questionnaire. The results shed some light onto efficacy, cost-effectiveness and cost-profit balance of diagnostic admissions. Strategies to improve efficacy and cost-effectiveness are discussed.