Implant-based immediate breast reconstruction in the previously augmented patient

Millions of women have undergone augmentation mammaplasty with implants and breast cancer continuing to be the most common non-cutaneous malignancy in female patients. Reconstructive surgeons will inevitably encounter breast cancer patients with prior augmentation. Implant-based techniques represent the most common form of breast reconstruction overall and remains a common option among those who were previously augmented.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate outcomes of implant-based reconstruction in previously augmented women.

A retrospective review from September 2004 to December 2009 was performed. 38 women (63 breasts) with a history of prior augmentation (PA) who underwent implant-based reconstruction were identified and compared to a non-prior augmented (NPA) control group (77 patients; 138 breasts). Normative data, augmentation details, reconstruction method, complication rates, and revision rates were evaluated.

The total complication rate was significantly different between the two groups with 18 complications (28.6%) occurring in 9 PA breasts and 20 complications (14.5%) in 19 NPA breasts (p-value 0.037). When analyzed by specific complication subtypes, capsular contracture was the only complication that bordered significance between the two cohorts (p-value 0.057). Complication rates were otherwise similar regardless of augmentation or reconstruction type.

Implant-based reconstruction is a safe option for previously augmented patients that is able to provide outcomes similar to non-augmented patients. Results are not affected by the location of previous implants or the implant-based reconstruction method. There may be a higher incidence of capsular contracture in the previously augmented patient that warrants further investigation and preoperative discussion.