GalaFlex is a resorbable surgical mesh implant made from poly-4-hydroxybutyrate (P4HB) designed to provide soft tissue support in alloplastic breast reconstruction, breast lifts (mastopexy), and body contouring procedures.
BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company) manufactures several BD mesh products including GalaFlex Scaffold, GalaFlex 3D Scaffold, GalaFlex 3DR Scaffold, and GalaFlex Lite Scaffold.
These devices were marketed to plastic surgeons and other specialists as an “internal bra” solution to provide additional support for breast implants, support breast tissue, and prevent sagging after surgery.
The mesh is composed of high-strength P4HB monofilament fibers knitted into a macroporous scaffold.
FDA Clearance and Off-Label Use
GalaFlex received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2014 for repair and reinforcement of soft tissue where weakness exists, but was not approved by the FDA for breast surgery.
Despite this limited clearance, surgeons increasingly adopted GalaFlex mesh for off-label use in breast procedures.
This regulatory gap manifested in several ways:
- FDA 510(k) clearance granted May 21, 2014 (K140533) authorized GalaFlex only for general soft tissue repair and reinforcement applications
- Surgeons began using the device off-label in breast reconstruction and cosmetic surgery procedures like breast augmentation and mastopexy as an “internal bra” technique to improve aesthetic outcomes without specific FDA approval for these applications
- November 2023 FDA safety communication emphasized that no surgical mesh products have been determined safe or effective for breast surgery
Following the FDA’s November 9, 2023 letter to health care providers, BD updated labeling for all GalaFlex products in 2024.
The revised warnings and precautions sections now explicitly state that “the safety and effectiveness of surgical mesh in breast surgery has not been determined by the FDA.”
This labeling change acknowledges the widespread off-label use while clarifying the absence of FDA authorization for breast mesh surgery applications.
If you received GalaFlex mesh during a breast procedure and experienced complications from this off-label use, you may have grounds to pursue legal action against the manufacturer.
Contact TruLaw using the chat on this page to receive an instant case evaluation and learn if you qualify to file a GalaFlex Mesh lawsuit today.