Reduction in Seroma and Other Complications with a Novel Internal Negative Pressure System in Breast Reconstruction

BACKGROUND: Seroma, along with other complications, occurs as a result of poor wound healing following breast reconstructive surgery. The Interi System was developed to address the need for more effective approaches to close internal dead space and evacuate postsurgical fluid. Interi is an internal negative pressure delivery system with a unique branching manifold for broad coverage of internal tissue planes. Initial experience in a small cohort undergoing prepectoral breast reconstruction showed a clinical and statistically significant reduction in seroma and any complication versus standard drains. The purpose of this study is to report on the safety and effectiveness of Interi, compared with standard drains, in a larger patient population followed up over a longer period than our initial study. METHODS: Data on demographics, mastectomy and reconstructive variables, postoperative complications, and manifold/drain duration were retrieved from patient records and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Interi was used in 100 patients (170 breasts) and standard drains in 100 patients (166 breasts). Groups were well matched in demographic, reconstructive, and mastectomy variables. Interi was removed significantly earlier than drains (16.5 versus 19.6 days; P < 0.0001) and was associated with a significantly lower incidence of seroma (4.1% versus 22.9%, P < 0.00001), flap revision (10.6% versus 21.7%, P = 0.006), and any complication (23.5% versus 44.0%, P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Interi effectively reduced dead space and evacuated fluid from internal tissue planes, thereby decreasing seroma and other complications after prepectoral breast reconstruction. As a viable alternative to standard drains, it could significantly improve patient outcomes.