Study: DermACELL® demonstrates superior clinical outcomes compared to AlloDerm® in breast reconstruction

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Jan. 10, 2017

The retrospective study, "Comparison of Different Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM) in Breast Reconstruction: The 50/50 Study¹," compared clinical outcomes between Dermacell and AlloDerm RTU in breast reconstruction — the most recent empirical study to directly compare the two grafts. Fifty-eight patients underwent reconstruction procedures using either Dermacell (30 patients, 50 breasts) or AlloDerm RTU (28 patients, 50 breasts). The same surgeon performed all reconstructions. Differences in the patients' average age, Body Mass Index, percent of patients having neo-adjuvant/adjuvant chemotherapy or breast irradiation, and numbers of therapeutic and prophylactic mastectomies between the two patient groups was not statistically significant.

Complications in both groups were recorded for 90 days post reconstruction. The authors reported that, compared to the AlloDerm group, patients in the Dermacell group showed statistically significant improvement in the incidence of Red Breast Syndrome — with zero cases reported among Dermacell recipients compared to 13 for AlloDerm RTU — and needed fewer days before drain removal (15.8 days versus 20.6). Additionally, the authors noted no significant difference in terms of seroma, hematoma, delayed healing, infection, flap necrosis, and explantation.

"The introduction of superior biomaterials like Dermacell provides reconstructive surgeons with the tools needed to perform cutting edge breast reconstruction in a safe and reproducible way," said Troy Pittman, MD, lead investigator and author of the study. "The elimination of 'red breast' and faster incorporation minimizes complications and ultimately leads to faster recovery for the patients."

Dermacell, which is processed by LifeNet Health^® and distributed by NOVADAQ^® Technologies, Inc., is a technologically advanced ADM designed for post-mastectomy breast reconstruction and for treatment of diabetic foot ulcers and chronic wounds. These allograft implants are processed utilizing Matracell^® and Preservon^®, two of LifeNet Health's patented and validated technologies.

"LifeNet Health's processing technology is what differentiates our allografts," said LifeNet Health President and CEO Rony Thomas. "The data in Dr. Pittman's study clearly supports the fact that we have a technologically advanced, superior process."

In Dec. 2014, NOVADAQ and LifeNet Health forged a multi-year agreement making NOVADAQ the exclusive worldwide distributor of Dermacell for wound management and breast reconstruction.