Assessment of Acellular Dermal Matrix-Associated Complications With Silicone Implants

Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) is defined as an allograft composed of sterile, decellularized, regenerative dermal tissue matrix for soft tissue reconstructive and transplantation purposes. The epidermal layer is removed from the dermal layer to minimize immunological response in the ADM recipient. The idea of using ADM is to improve breast reconstruction and promote faster recovery with fewer complications. It is expected that ADM will reduce capsular contracture, the most frequent complication of silicone implant surgeries. However, some complications have been related to ADM in breast reconstructive surgeries. In such cases, imaging scans, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography (USG), can aid in diagnosing and monitoring complications. In this case series, we share our experience regarding ADM complications in our clinical practice. We showed the most common complications of ADM associated with breast implants in eight patients referred to USG, MRI, mammography, and computed tomography. The more frequent findings were capsular contracture, folded ADM, intracapsular collection, and pericapsular impairment. We also divided the findings into early and late complications. ADM and its complications associated with breast implants can be diagnosed and followed up with breast imaging scans. Knowledge of ADM presentation and its complications is imperative for diagnostic purposes, managing, and following up patients who undergo these procedures.