Toward the Opioid-free DIEP: Early Postoperative Pain Reduction and Opioid-sparing Effect of Suzetrigine in Autologous Breast Reconstruction with Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flaps

PURPOSE: Infection remains one of the most common and consequential complications following implant-based breast reconstruction after mastectomy, with rates ranging from 1% to 35% (1).Standard preventive measures, including perioperative antibiotics and antiseptic irrigation, have not fully mitigated this risk.While prophylactic absorbable antibiotic beads have demonstrated efficacy in orthopedic settings, their role in implant-based reconstruction remains underexplored.This study aims to evaluate the impact of prophylactic absorbable antibiotic beads on infection rates, reconstructive loss, and overall outcomes.