Decellularized Biological Scaffolds for the Prevention of Postoperative Seroma Formation

 

Introduction: Seroma is a frequent and frustrating postoperative complication. Decellularized biological scaffolds, which are known to be immunomodulatory, have been shown to have beneficial effects on wound healing. We hypothesized that decellularized freeze fractured tissue scaffolds (DFFTP) would prevent or reduce the formation of postoperative seromas in a rodent model of seroma formation.

Materials and Methods: A previously validated latissimus dorsi (LD) resection model was used for the study. Fifty-six Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to receive either (1) no DFFTP, (2) skeletal muscle DFFTP, (3) adipose DFFTP, or (4) dermis DFFTP. Seroma diameter was monitored and measured with calipers weekly by a single blinded observer. Rats were euthanized at either 28 days or 60 days and the surgical sites were collected for histological evaluation.

Results: All DFFTP treated groups had a higher number of seromas and greater seroma volume as compared with controls (no DFFTP; p < 0.001). When compared with the other DFFTP groups, skeletal muscle decellularized tissue products had reduced seroma volumes and more rapid seroma resolution. Histology is pending.

Discussion/Conclusion: Decellularized freeze fractured tissue powders did not prevent acute seroma formation and therefore our hypothesis was rejected. The muscle-derived DFFTP had the most rapid decrease in volume and number of resolved seromas when compared with the other DTTFPs. While DTTFP may not be efficacious at preventing seroma, further studies will focus on their use to treat chronic persistent seromas.

Acknowledgment: This project was funded by the Gift of Hope Foundation, Limb Preservation Foundation and Boehringer Ingelheim.