SERI silk surgical scaffold is a knitted, multifilament bioresorbable bioprotein-based scaffold. It is derived from silk that has been purified to yield very pure fibroin. It is tear resistant, holds sutures well and can be cut to any shape. It provides immediate mechanical stability across a tissue defect due to its inherent strength and scaffold construction. It is designed to gradually resorb as new tissue grows into it. It is to be used as a temporary scaffold for tissue support and defect repair of soft tissues in plastic surgery.
This silk-derived biological material has favorable biocompatibility and causes minimal inflammation. Ordinary silk sutures are not traditionally thought as of very biocompatible because contain sericin which causes a profound inflammatory reaction. Commercial silk suture is made of fibrous proteins that are first processed into strands, then braided, and may be dyed and coated with wax or silicone. These silk sutures typically can become encapsulated and do not integrate into the native tissue. SERI surgical scaffold undergoes a proprietary purified engineering process which removes sericin and other impurities for a very pure sterile product. Tissue response to SERI Surgical Scaffold exhibits minimal inflammation that is confined to the silk-derived scaffold. This helps promote favorable integration and neovascularization as the scaffold is replaced over time with natural collagen. Studies have shown that this silk-based product is resorbed at slower rates than other types of synthetic polymers.
The SERI silk scaffold received FDA approval in 2009 and is distributed through Allergan for soft tissue repair. It has had its biggest application in various breast augmentation and reconstruction deformities, most notably for secondary breast procedures. It has been primarily used as a supporting scaffold or sling to correct breast implant bottoming out, rippling and holds promise to treat breast implant capsular contracture. It shows promise for other plastic surgery procedures that need additional soft tissue support such as tummy tucks, breast lifts and facelifts.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana