Late intracapsular seroma in subfascial buttock augmentation: a case report

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Biomaterials Science
• Surgical Complications

Background:

• Late intracapsular seroma and hematoma are known complications of breast augmentation.
• Reports of late intracapsular seroma following buttock augmentation are infrequent.
• Textured and polyurethane implants are utilized for gluteal augmentation.

Observation:

• A patient developed a large, late, bilateral intracapsular seroma (1200ml and 300ml) 2.5 years after buttock augmentation with a retrofascial polyurethane-covered implant.
• The seroma onset was sudden, with no apparent relation to trauma, medication, or exercise.
• Tissue distension necessitated implant repositioning within the gluteal muscle, resolving the seroma without recurrence.

Findings:

• Textured implants, commonly used for buttock augmentation, appear to be implicated in late intracapsular seromas and hematomas.
• The reported case involved a polyurethane-covered implant, and all similar documented cases utilized textured implants.
• Late seroma or hematoma associated with smooth implants suggests an additional contributing etiologic factor.

Implications:

• Further large-scale studies are needed to determine the cause and incidence of late seromas and hematomas associated with textured implants.
• Understanding the etiology of late seroma in buttock augmentation is crucial for patient safety and implant selection.
• The findings suggest a potential link between textured implant surfaces and the development of late intracapsular fluid collections.