Complications of AlloDerm and DermaMatrix for parotidectomy reconstruction

Background: AlloDerm and DermaMatrix are two acellular dermal implants currently utilized by reconstructive surgeons at our institution for reconstruction of parotidectomy defects. We looked at the postoperative complication rates following subcutaneous implantation of these acellular dermal implants for parotid bed reconstruction. Methods: A retrospective chart review Results: One hundred patients were analyzed. Sixty-nine AlloDerm implants were associated with five complications (7%), while thirty one DermaMatrix implants were associated with eight complications (26%) (p = .0107). When comparing total parotidectomies, the complication rate was one of 20 (5%) for AlloDerm and one of 12 (8%) for DermaMatrix (p=.7061). When looking at subtotal parotidectomies, the incidence of complications was found to be four of 49 (8%) for AlloDerm and seven of 19 (37%) for DermaMatrix (p=.004). Conclusions: Our study suggests that DermaMatrix was associated with increased postoperative complications compared to AlloDerm, especially in the subset of patients undergoing subtotal parotidectomy.