Plasma-Treated Acellular Dermal Matrix in Nipple Reconstruction: A Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND

In nipple-areola complex (NAC) reconstruction, maintaining the projection and volume of the reconstructed nipple is so important.

METHODS

This study evaluates the effectiveness of plasma-treated human acellular dermal matrix (hADM) in maintaining nipple projection and volume after nipple reconstruction using the modified C-V flap technique. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 42 patients who received either plasma-treated (n=20) or plasma-untreated (n=22) hADM grafts from October 2022 to January 2025. Nipple volumes were measured immediately after surgery and at intervals of 1, 4, 8, and 24 weeks using Antera 3D® imaging.

RESULTS

The percentage of initial nipple volume maintained in the plasma-treated group was significantly greater than in the plasma-untreated group at 4 weeks (93.3% vs. 87.7%, p < 0.05), 8 weeks (87.3% vs. 78.6%, p < 0.01), and 24 weeks (85.9% vs. 74.9%, p < 0.005). At 1 week, volumes were similar (99.4% vs. 98.6%, p > 0.05). A reduction in revision rates was noted, though this was not statistically significant. The incidence of complications was comparable between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that plasma treatment of hADM improves volume maintenance in nipple reconstruction.

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.