Local antibiotic beads to prevent infection after breast tissue expander placement

A Randomized Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Local Antibiotic Delivery in the Prevention of Breast Tissue Expander-Associated Infections

Phase 4 Interventional Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center · NCT07220967

This study will test whether placing biodegradable antibiotic beads at the time of immediate prepectoral tissue expander reconstruction lowers infection and seroma risk for adult women having mastectomy reconstruction.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 4
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment392 (estimated)
Ages18 Years and up
SexFemale
SponsorMemorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Academic / other
Locations7 sites (Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations)
Trial IDNCT07220967 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The trial uses vancomycin- and gentamicin-loaded Stimulan Rapid Cure (calcium sulfate) beads placed at the surgical site during prepectoral tissue expander insertion. Participants are adult women undergoing immediate reconstruction at Memorial Sloan Kettering's New Jersey sites who meet specified health and allergy criteria. Investigators will follow patients after surgery to track surgical-site infections, seroma formation, device-related complications, and any adverse events. This phase 4 interventional protocol evaluates the real-world safety and outcome effects of local antibiotic delivery in this patient population.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are adult women planned for immediate prepectoral tissue expander reconstruction at MSK who are non-smokers, have BMI under 40, no allergy to calcium sulfate or the study antibiotics, and no listed medical contraindications.

Not a fit: Patients with contraindications such as pregnancy, uncontrolled diabetes, severe vascular or neurological disease, active smoking, BMI ≥40, or known allergy to calcium sulfate, vancomycin, or gentamicin are unlikely to be eligible or to benefit.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could lower post-operative infection and seroma rates, reduce reoperations, and help preserve reconstructive outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Antibiotic-loaded calcium sulfate beads have reduced infection rates in orthopedic and some implant surgeries, but their routine use with breast tissue expanders is relatively novel and less well studied.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Female sex
* Aged 18 years or older
* Planned to undergo mastectomy for breast cancer, genetic predisposition to and/or strong family history of breast cancer, or other prophylactic indication
* Planned to undergo unilateral or bilateral immediate breast reconstruction (i.e., reconstruction at the time of mastectomy) with prepectoral TE placement at MSK
* BMI less than 40 kg/m2
* Not actively smoking or using other nicotine products within 6 weeks of surgery
* No contraindications to Stimulan antibiotic bead placement: hypercalcemia, severe vascular or neurological disease, uncontrolled diabetes, pregnancy, and severe degenerative bone disease
* No known allergy to calcium sulfate, vancomycin, or gentamicin
* No impaired decision-making capacity

Where this trial is running

Basking Ridge, New Jersey and 6 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Breast CancerBreast Tissue Expander PlacementStimulan Rapid CureLocal Antibiotic DeliveryPrevent Infection25-278
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.