Bruce W. Van Natta

Natrelle style 410 form-stable silicone breast implants: core study results at 6 years.

BACKGROUND The Natrelle Style 410 shaped, form-stable silicone gel implant (Allergan, Inc; Irvine, California) has been the subject of a pivotal study that supports potential US Food and Drug Administration approval of the device. The 3-year results of this study were reported previously. OBJECTIVES The authors update the safety and effectiveness findings for the Natrelle Style 410 implants through 6 years of study. METHODS This prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter study included 941 patients (492 primary augmentations, 156 revision-augmentations, 225 primary reconstructions, and 68 revision-reconstructions). Since the original 3-year report, follow-up visits have been conducted annually. Kaplan-Meier risk rates were calculated for local complications, reoperations, and explantations. One-third of the subjects were enrolled in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cohort and underwent biannual MRI rupture screening. Effectiveness was measured by subject satisfaction on a 5-point scale. RESULTS As expected after breast implantation, capsular contracture (CC) was one of the most common complications, with 6-year risk rates of 4.6% for augmentation, 6.9% for revision-augmentation, 10.7% for reconstruction, and 18.3% for revision-reconstruction. The rates for CC among augmentations and revision-augmentations were significantly lower with the Natrelle 410 implants than with other standard gel implants. The rupture rate (confirmed plus suspected) across all cohorts was 6.4% by subject and 3.8% by implant. The most common reasons for reoperation were style or size change (augmentation), implant malposition (revision-augmentation), scarring (reconstruction), and CC (revision-reconstruction). The satisfaction rate exceeded 80% in all cohorts. CONCLUSIONS These fifth-generation, form-stable implants represent another option to achieve desired aesthetic outcomes with minimal complications.

Style 410 highly cohesive silicone breast implant core study results at 3 years.

Background: In February of 2001, Allergan (formerly Inamed) began an Investigational Device Exemption study of a shaped breast implant: the Style 410 highly cohesive silicone-filled breast implant. Methods: Forty-eight plastic surgeons across the United States performed implantation on 941 subjects enrolled in a 10-year study. This prospective, nonrandomized study provided 3-year follow-up data, clinical outcomes, and satisfaction rates from this cohort of 492 primary augmentation, 225 breast reconstruction, and 224 breast revision subjects. Complications were reported and compared with those from current standard gel and saline implant studies. Results: With greater than 85 percent follow-up compliance at 3 years, complication rates were low among augmentation subjects, with implant malposition being the most common (2.6 percent) and all other complications occurring in less than 2 percent of subjects. In the revision-augmentation group, the most common complications were capsular contracture (4.8 percent) and implant malposition (4.7 percent), with all other complications occurring in less than 4 percent. Asymmetry (8.7 percent) and capsular contracture (5.9 percent) were the only complications that occurred in more than 5 percent of reconstruction subjects. The overall risk of rupture across all cohorts was 1.0 percent by subject and 0.8 percent by implant. Subject satisfaction with implants was 98 percent for augmentation and 90 percent or higher for all other cohorts. Conclusions: The Style 410 highly cohesive silicone implant has low complication rates and high satisfaction rates through 3 years after implantation. These results are significant in introducing more evidence-based medicine that will allow plastic surgeons and patients to make better informed decisions regarding implant options.

IFATS Collection: Adipose Stromal Cell Differentiation Is Reduced by Endothelial Cell Contact and Paracrine Communication: Role of Canonical Wnt Signaling

Adipose stromal cells (ASC) are multipotential mesenchymal progenitor cells that are readily induced to undergo adipogenic differentiation, and we have recently demonstrated them to have functional and phenotypic overlap with pericytes lining microvessels in adipose tissues. In this study we addressed the hypothesis that modulation of ASC fate within this perivascular niche can occur via interaction with endothelial cells (EC), which serve to modulate the adipogenic potential of ASC. To this end, we investigated contact as well as paracrine effects of EC on ASC adipogenesis, in two‐dimensional coculture and via conditioned medium and analyzed mutual gene expression changes by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A significant decrease in adipogenic differentiation was observed in ASC when they were cocultured with EC but not control fibroblasts. This endothelial cell‐specific effect was accompanied by increased expression of factors involved in Wnt signaling, most prominently Wnt1, Wnt4, and Wnt10a, which are well‐known inhibitors of adipogenesis. Suppression of Wnt1 but not Wnt 10a or scrambled control short interfering RNA in cocultures partially reversed the endothelial cell effect, thus increasing adipogenic differentiation, suggesting a plausible role of Wnt1 ligand in modulation of adipogenesis by the vasculature. Furthermore, addition of recombinant Wnt ligand or the Wnt signaling agonist inhibited adipogenic differentiation of ASC in the absence of EC. In conclusion, these data define the relationship in adipose tissue between ASC and EC in the perivascular niche, in which the latter act to repress adipogenesis, thereby stabilizing vasculature. It is tempting to speculate that abnormal endothelial function may be associated with pathologic derepression of adipogenesis.

Bacterial Biofilm Infection Detected in Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large-Cell Lymphoma.

Background: A recent association between breast implants and the development of anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (ALCL) has been observed. The purpose of this study was to identify whether bacterial biofilm is present in breast implant–associated ALCL and, if so, to compare the bacterial microbiome to nontumor capsule samples from breast implants with contracture. Methods: Twenty-six breast implant–associated ALCL samples were analyzed for the presence of biofilm by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, next-generation sequencing, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and scanning electron microscopy, and compared to 62 nontumor capsule specimens. Results: Both the breast implant–associated ALCL and nontumor capsule samples yielded high mean numbers of bacteria (breast implant–associated ALCL, 4.7 × 106 cells/mg of tissue; capsule, 4.9 × 106 cells/mg of tissue). Analysis of the microbiome in breast implant–associated ALCL specimens showed significant differences with species identified in nontumor capsule specimens. There was a significantly greater proportion of Ralstonia spp. present in ALCL specimens compared with nontumor capsule specimens (p < 0.05). In contrast, significantly more Staphylococcus spp. were found associated with nontumor capsule specimens compared with breast implant–associated ALCL specimens (p < 0.001). Bacterial biofilm was visualized both on scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent in situ hybridization. Conclusions: This novel finding of bacterial biofilm and a distinct microbiome in breast implant–associated ALCL samples points to a possible infectious contributing cause. Breast implants are widely used in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery, and strategies to reduce their contamination should be more widely studied and practiced. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Risk, V.

Ten-year results from the Natrelle 410 anatomical form-stable silicone breast implant core study.

Background Silicone breast implants have long been used for breast augmentation and reconstruction. During this time, these medical devices have gone through a number of modifications to improve their safety, quality, and clinical outcome performance. Objectives The authors conducted a 10-year study to determine the safety and effectiveness of Natrelle 410 silicone breast implants. Methods This prospective, multicenter study enrolled 941 subjects who were undergoing either augmentation, augmentation revision, reconstruction, or reconstruction revision. Data on complications, reoperations, explantations, and subject satisfaction were collected at annual clinic visits, and one-third of subjects underwent biennial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to screen for implant rupture. The authors used the Kaplan-Meier estimator to calculate risk rates for local complications, reoperations, and explantations. Results Capsular contracture rates increased approximately 1% per year from the previously reported 6-year rates. The rates were significantly lower than those from the Natrelle round gel core study. The overall rate of confirmed ruptured implants in subjects who underwent MRI was 5.7%. Eleven late seromas were reported. The most common reason for explantation was a subject requesting a size or style change. Satisfaction rates remained high through 10 years, with most subjects saying they were somewhat or definitely satisfied with their implants. Conclusions This 10-year prospective trial demonstrated the long-term safety and effectiveness of Natrelle 410 anatomical form-stable implants. The complication rates were low and the satisfaction rates were high. Level of Evidence: 1 Therapeutic

Biomarkers Provide Clues to Early Events in the Pathogenesis of Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma.

Almost 200 women worldwide have been diagnosed with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The unique location and specific lymphoma type strongly suggest an etio-pathologic link between breast implants and BIA-ALCL. It is postulated that chronic inflammation via bacterial infection may be an etiological factor. BIA-ALCL resembles primary cutaneous ALCL (pcALCL) in morphology, activated T-cell phenotype, and indolent clinical course. Gene expression array analysis, flow cytometry, and immunohistochemistry were used to study pcALCL and BIA-ALCL cell lines. Clinical samples were also studied to characterize transcription factor and cytokine profiles of tumor cells and surrounding lymphocytes. BIA-ALCL and pcALCL were found to have common expression of transcription factors SOCS3, JunB, SATB1, and a cytokine profile suggestive of a Th1 phenotype. Similar patterns were observed in a CD30+ cutaneous lymphoproliferative disorder (LPD). The patterns of cytokine and transcription factor expression suggest that BIA-ALCL is likely to arise from chronic bacterial antigen stimulation of T-cells. Further analysis of cytokine and transcription factor profiles may allow early detection and treatment of BIA-ALCL leading to better prognosis and survival. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 5: Risk.

A Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized, Contralateral Study of Tissue Liquefaction Liposuction vs Suction-Assisted Liposuction

Background Tissue liquefaction liposuction (TLL) deploys a novel energy source utilizing a stream of warmed, low-pressurized, and pulsed saline to extract fat tissue. Objectives Compare TLL to suction-assisted liposuction (SAL) to determine which device is more efficient for surgeons and provides better recovery for patients. Methods Thirty-one adult female patients were followed prospectively in a contralateral study design comparing differences in bruising, swelling, tenderness, and incision appearance ratings between TLL and SAL procedures. Surgical efficiency and appearance of the lipoaspirate were also compared. Results All 31 patients successfully completed the study. For TLL and SAL procedures, the average volumes of infusion (1.242 vs 1.276 L) and aspirated supernatant fat (704 vs 649 mL) were statistically similar. TLL median fat extraction rate was faster than SAL (35.6 vs 25 mL/min; P < 0.0001), and stroke rate was reduced in TLL vs SAL procedures (48 vs 120 strokes/min; P < 0.0001), and both were statistically significant. The mean total scores for bruising, swelling, treatment site tenderness, and incision appearance were lower, indicating improved patient recovery on the TLL side. Conclusions TLL and SAL techniques produced comparable volume of fat aspirate. TLL demonstrated a 42% faster fat extraction rate and a 68% reduction in arm movements needed to complete the procedure compared to SAL, both of these differences are statistically significant. The TLL side was noted to have reduced bruising and swelling and improved incision site appearance with less tenderness compared to the SAL side. Level of Evidence 2

The Use of Poly-4-Hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) Scaffold in the Ptotic Breast: A Multicenter Clinical Study

Background Mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty are often limited by the patients poor native soft tissue quality, resulting in ptosis recurrence and loss of rejuvenated surgical results. Surgical scaffolds and acellular dermal matrices are used in these procedures to provide physical and mechanical stabilization of weakened or compromised tissue. GalaFLEX scaffold, made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB), is a next-generation product for soft tissue reinforcement that resorbs gradually while aiding tissue regeneration to achieve excellent outcomes. Objectives To assess the clinical performance of GalaFLEX scaffold in soft tissue reinforcement during elective mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty. Methods This multicenter, single-arm, observational study assessed product performance and outcomes of GalaFLEX scaffold when used in breast surgery. Outcomes included ptosis correction and maintenance, associated adverse events, patient and surgeon satisfaction, and mammographic and ultrasound imaging evaluation. Results At 6 centers in the US, 62 of 69 enrolled patients were treated. Of this population, 89.7% had successful ptosis correction and maintenance at 1 year, with high patient and surgeon satisfaction for breast shape, droop/sag of the breast, and maintenance of results at 1 year. There were 5 adverse events deemed related to the device (8.0%), including nerve pain, breast swelling, ptosis, and 2 instances of asymmetry. Conclusions GalaFLEX scaffold safely and successfully supports and elevates breast tissue in mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty, with maintained support at 1 year. Surgeon and patient satisfaction were high. No mammogram or ultrasound interference was detected. Level of Evidence 4