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Systemic inflammatory reaction after silicone breast implant
Maira M Silva1, Miguel Modolin, Joel Faintuch
1Plastic Surgery Service, Sao Paulo University Medical School, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|March 23, 2011
Summary
Systemic inflammation markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) increased after breast augmentation with silicone implants. While anticardiolipin IgM showed a mild rise, long-term monitoring is advised due to potential silicone immunogenicity.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Systemic inflammation post-augmentation mammaplasty with modern silicone implants is not well-documented.
- A prospective study investigated this using C-reactive protein (CRP) and other markers in young patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis of systemic inflammation following augmentation mammaplasty.
- To monitor inflammatory markers and autoantibodies in patients with silicone breast implants compared to a control group.
Main Methods:
- A prospective controlled study included 52 females (18-30 years) undergoing breast augmentation (n=24) or abdominal liposuction (n=28, controls).
- Variables monitored included demographic and clinical data, surgical outcomes, CRP levels, and autoantibodies, with follow-up at 6 months.
Main Results:
- Operations were well-tolerated with no complications.
- C-reactive protein (CRP) levels significantly increased at 2 months post-augmentation mammaplasty (p=0.001).
- A mild increase in anticardiolipin IgM was observed, but was similar between groups; no other significant autoantibody aberrations were noted.
Conclusions:
- Post-operative CRP levels correlated with pro-inflammatory and pro-coagulatory indices.
- Despite good cosmetic results and no complications, the acute phase reaction suggests potential immunogenicity of silicone implants.
- Long-term monitoring of patients with silicone breast implants is recommended.
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