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The use of biological and synthetic meshes to aid implant coverage in implant-based breast reconstruction is well established. This technique allows single stage implant-based reconstruction compared to the traditional technique which required tissue expansion before permanent implant placement and therefore involved two operations for the patient. They can further be used for pre-pectoral implant reconstructions in a similar direct-to-implant strategy. This retrospective observational study by Pompei et al has evaluated the use of TIGR Matrix, a long-term resorbable mesh, in 49 patients with 60 operated breasts for both reconstructive and aesthetic cases. They have reported their operative method and followed up their cases for a mean of 12 months. They have reported a cumulative mesh complication rate of 5.4% and one implant was explanted due to infection. They identified a significant correlation between obesity and mesh-related complications. This study is significant as there remains little data regarding the long term outcomes of resorbable synthetic mesh for breast reconstruction. Their reported complication rates are consistent with those in other studies for synthetic meshes. As synthetic meshes can be significantly cheaper than their biological counterparts, this work could promote more widespread use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Peritoneal metastases are now a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with advanced breast cancer. There are few published data regarding the prognosis, clinical characteristics and management of individuals with peritoneal metastases from breast cancer. Methods: The electronic database at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Charing Cross Hospital) was searched for the terms ‘breast’, ‘cancer’ or ‘tumour’, ‘peritoneal’ and ‘ascites’ from 2000 to 2008. Those with confirmed peritoneal disease from breast cancer, as described on ultrasound or staging CT reports with a clinico-pathologic confirmed diagnosis, were included. Results: A total of 1628 patients were screened and initially 168 patients were identified. A subsequent total of 44 individuals (2.7% of the cohort) were defined as having breast cancer with peritoneal secondaries and were included in the analysis. Of these, the majority (77%) had invasive ductal carcinomas (IDCs). While the median survival from the diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer measured 20.5 months (range 0.1–125 months), the median survival of patients with peritoneal disease was 1.56 months (range 0.2–27 months). Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the median survival of patients with peritoneal breast cancer metastasis is surprisingly poor, with only a minority surviving more than 6 months. A specific association with invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC) was not observed. The dismal outcome of these individuals, despite further active therapy, merits their inclusion into clinical trials designed specifically for this group of patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]