Breast Revision Surgery: Common Factors

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Now that breast implants have been on the market for over 20 years, it has been discovered that many breast implant patients will seek revision surgery over time. There may be one of several reasons for breast revision surgery, including:

• Asymmetry between the breasts
• Rupture or leak
• Capsular contraction
• Mal-position or bottoming out
• Scarring
• Change in breast volume and tissue that occurs post menopause.

Whatever the reason, there are some commonalities among breast implant revision candidates.

Saline filled implants may be more likely to bottom out or mal-position. Saline implant patients may present with thinner capsules when compared to silicone implant patients. Revision surgery for saline breast implants patients profiling mal-position may require placement of pectoralis slings or another prosthetic device to help reposition the breast implant. Bottoming out may be also, addressed by complex capsular flaps.

Silicone gel implants produced from the 1970’s through the 1980’s may be more likely to bleed through the outer thin shell of the implant, causing leakage or rupture. Secondly, a dense capsule may develop around the implant which may reshape the breast and cause discomfort. In both cases, surgical removal of the implant, the surrounding capsule and replacement of the implant (called a capsulectomy procedure) must be performed to achieve a comforting satisfactory result.

Polyurethane-covered silicone implants available prior to the 1970’s may be most likely to produce a dense capsule around the implant. In this case, a total capsulectomy would be required to improve the hardened feel, discomfort or mal-position.

In the end, breast augmentation still remains the most desired procedure among women. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, 329,000 procedures were performed in 2006. In fact, most women feel the benefits outweigh the risks or the need for revision surgery in years to come.

Are you considering plastic surgery? If so, please contact a board certified surgeon to become better informed about your options.

 


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