65. Prophylactic Absorbable Antibiotic Beads: Effect on Tissue Expander Reconstruction Outcomes Following Mastectomy Skin Necrosis

PURPOSE: Mastectomy skin necrosis is problematic in tissue expander reconstruction with rates between 7 to 30%. Partial or full-thickness skin necrosis may harbor bacterial colonization promoting infection and risk of implant loss. Absorbable antibiotic-impregnated calcium-sulfate antibiotic beads have been described to reduce tissue expander (TE)/implant infection when used prophylactically for prepectoral breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of absorbable antibiotic beads on outcomes in patients who develop mastectomy skin necrosis after immediate postmastectomy tissue expander breast reconstruction. METHODS: A single-center retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent mastectomy, immediate prepectoral TE reconstruction on the same day (2018-2024). Patients who developed mastectomy skin necrosis were included. Patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 (absorbable antibiotic beads with TE placement) and Group 2 (no antibiotic beads with TE). Demographical information was recorded. Surgical-site infection (90-days) and implant removal were the outcome variables. RESULTS: The study included 61 patients (75 total breasts with necrosis) who underwent prepectoral TE breast reconstruction following mastectomy and developed mastectomy skin necrosis. The patients included in the study with mastectomy skin necrosis were 12 patients in Group 1 (16 breasts) and 49 patients in Group 2 (59 breasts). Baseline characteristics were not significantly difference between groups (p=1). There was no difference between nipple-sparing mastectomy or skin-sparing mastectomy between groups (p=0.1094). Acellular dermal matrix was used in 66.7% (8/12) of Group 1 compared to 83.7% (41/49) of Group 2 (p=0.2285). Operative management of mastectomy skin necrosis including debridement and reclosure was required in 50% (6/12) of Group 1 compared to 69.4% (34/49) of Group 2 patients (p=0.3093). There was one occurrence (6.3%, 1/16 TEs) of surgical-site infection in Group 1 and 35.6% (21/59 TEs) in Group 2 (p=0.0288). TE removal resulted in 6.3% (1/16 TEs) in Group 1 and 33.9% (20/59 TEs) in Group 2 (p=0.0310). The mean follow-up time was 189 days (range 146-236 days). CONCLUSIONS: Patients who develop mastectomy skin necrosis after prepectoral tissue expander reconstruction may experience lower rates of TE removal and infection when prophylactic absorbable antibiotic-impregnated beads are used. Patients who develop mastectomy skin necrosis are at high risk for infection and TE loss. Prophylactic antibiotic beads used at the time of mastectomy with prepectoral TE reconstruction decrease the risk of infection and TE loss in patients who experience mastectomy skin necrosis.