Capsular contracture is one of the most common complications associated with breast augmentation both in San Diego and across the country. Unfortunately, it is a complication that we, as plastic surgeons, do not fully understand. This makes it a very frustrating problem for both patients and doctors alike. There is no way to predict, before surgery, who will have this problem, which makes it even more of a challenge. Fortunately, this is not frequent in breast augmentation surgery, but it does happen in approximately 5 to 10% of patients.
There are several current thoughts about why capsular contracture happens in patients, but even the scientific community does not fully understand. It occurs almost equally in patients with both saline and silicone implants, and more often than not, it will happen only on one side. This makes understanding capsular contractures even more of a challenge.
There are several potential ways in which we can help minimize the occurrence of this in our patients. As a result, we have made every effort to implement all of these potential cutting-edge techniques to improve our patient’s overall breast augmentation experience. Firstly, we use particular antibiotics to help purposely treat the bacteria commonly on the breast and within the breast’s ductal system – as these are unique organisms found to be associated with capsular contracture from breast augmentation. Secondly, most patients we see in San Diego undergo placement of the implant beneath the chest muscle, reducing the risk. Then, the breast undergoes a second “sterile prep” to remove any unwanted bacteria that can hide within the breast ducts. Next, the implant is inserted using a Keller funnel, which significantly limits the implant’s exposure to the surrounding breast skin. Studies have shown that using the Keller funnel will reduce breast implants’ exposure to bacteria by 27 times. This is remarkably significant.
The surgeon only handles the breast implant, and the breast is rinsed with a triple antibiotic solution before inserting the implant itself. Finally, the breast pocket is immediately closed after insertion to limit the exposure of the implant to any of the potential causes of capsular contracture.
Although we haven’t cured capsular contracture, we have found a way to significantly reduce this problem’s incidence for our breast augmentation patients. We will continue to be on the cutting edge for our San Diego and Southern California patients.
If you are interested in knowing more about your options to correct capsular contracture in San Diego or Southern California, call our office at 858-638-9800 or schedule a consultation online.
*The content in this blog is developed to spread the awareness towards plastic surgery. Our blog is not intended to serve as a replacement for an actual in-office consultation with Dr. Marin. As such, the information within this blog reflects the unique cases of our individual patients.
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