Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
[Salvage of infected prosthesis in breast reconstruction: About seven consecutive cases]
J Quilichini1, T Guihard, P Le Masurier
1Unité de chirurgie plastique, service de chirurgie, centre de lutte contre le cancer René-Huguenin, 35, rue Dailly, 92210 Saint-Cloud, France. julien.quilichini@gmail.com
Unlabelled:
In breast reconstruction, periprosthetic infection is one of the most feared complications. Treatment is not clearly defined. The classical recommendation mandates implant removal and antibiotic treatment before a 3- to 6-month delayed reimplantation. This approach may compromise the final result.
Patients And Method:
The authors present a series of seven consecutive infected implants early "salvages" in six patients over 304 implants during a period ranging from February 2008 to October 2009, All patients were operated using the same protocol: implant removal, irrigation with 6l of saline, implant replacement, antibiotic treatment for staphylococcus during 3 weeks.
Results:
The seven infections were treated successfully. No recurrent infection was found with a mean follow-up of 16 months. One case of Baker III capsular contracture is noticed. Cosmetic results were moderate in one case, and satisfying or very satisfying in six cases.
Conclusions:
In case of periprosthetic infection without sign of severity or skin necrosis, abundant irrigation and implant salvage is an effective alternative to implant removal.
