ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Capsular formation around breast implants can produce various complications, including erythema, tenderness, discomfort, and breast deformation. Moreover, the capsule is thought to be correlated with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. The proposed technique of capsule reduction can prevent some of these complications. Thus, the authors suggest a no-touch technique in two-stage, implant-based breast reconstruction. Patients and Methods. This single-center retrospective study evaluated the medical records and digitalized pathological slides of patients who underwent two-stage, implant-based breast reconstruction between February 2018 and May 2019. The selected patients were divided into group A and group B. Group A underwent a no-touch technique that included the following two steps: (1) using a sizer as the frame to create the submuscular and acellular dermal matrix (ADM) pocket for expander insertion and (2) inserting the expander through the funnel. After the second stage of implant insertion, the capsule was harvested for biopsy of the ADM, chest wall, and muscle. RESULTS: This study included 33 breasts (31 patients): 18 in group A and 15 in group B. The capsular thicknesses of the ADM, the chest wall, and the muscle of group A were significantly thinner than those in group B. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicated negative correlations between capsular thickness and age; underlying disease; lesion side; interval of two-stage implant insertion; size of the expander; and radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or hormone therapy. CONCLUSION: To reduce the incidence of capsular formation following breast reconstruction using prostheses, a no-touch technique that uses a funnel and sizer to avoid implant contact is both efficient and beneficial.
Subject(s)
Breast Implants/adverse effects , Mammaplasty/adverse effects , Adult , Biopsy , Breast/pathology , Female , Humans , Incidence , Middle Aged , Tissue Expansion DevicesABSTRACT
RATIONALE: Custom-made implant is an accepted treatment option for treatment of chest deformity in Poland syndrome. Unlike the raised concerns and awareness for the long-term consequences of breast implants, the long-term complications of customized implants for special purposes like Poland syndrome has not been reported in the literature. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 44-year-old male with Poland syndrome presented to our institution complaining of a large bulge and fluctuation on the right chest wall. This occurred after 14âyears from the initial implant surgery for correction of chest wall deformity. Upon failure of resolution by multiple aspirations, workup was carried out under suspicion of implant associated malignancy. INTERVENTION: Total Capsulectomy and implant removal was done. OUTCOMES: Histology revealed chronic inflammation with fibrosis. Implant-associated malignancy was not found. He is being followed up with no signs of recurrence. LESSONS: For rare cases of implant insertion such as Poland syndrome, awareness of delayed complications and workups based on suspicion of implant-associated malignancy is needed. Surgeon awareness and patient education is required.