Galactorrhea/Galactocele After Breast Augmentation: A Systematic Review

To review cases of galactorrhea and galactocele postbreast augmentation, determine possible risk factors and consider management strategies of this rare complication.

A systematic literature review was conducted in July 2019 searching Pubmed, Embase, and Google Scholar.

The searches revealed 19 articles (17 case reports/series and 2 retrospective chart reviews) collectively comprising 38 women. The average age was 28 years, 42% were on oral contraceptives, whereas a quarter were nulliparous. The most common incision was periareolar (48%) followed by transaxillary (24%). The most common implant location was subglandular (57%) followed by subpectoral (37%). The average time to symptom onset was 61 days (range, 3-912 days) but only 3 cases presented more than a month after implant insertion. Twenty-one patients had galactorrhea, 7 had galactocele, whereas 10 women had both. Bilateral symptoms were present in 72% of cases, whereas hyperprolactinemia was present in only 62%. Management strategies included simple surveillance, antibiotics, dopamine agonists, leukotriene receptor antagonists, estrogenic agents, surgical washout, and implant removal (8 patients). The mean time to symptom resolution was 22.6 days.

The numbers are too small for definitive conclusions but there is a weak suggestion that periareolar incisions, subglandular implants, prior hormonal contraceptive use, gravidity, and recent history of breastfeeding (<1 year) may be risk factors for galactorrhea/galactocele. Symptom onset is usually within 3 months. Treatments providing the fastest response (2 days) comprised of a composite approach (antibiotics, dopamine agonist, surgical drainage, and implant removal), whereas the use of estrogenic medications appeared to confer little benefit.