What Are the Long-Term Aesthetic Issues in Prepectoral Breast Reconstruction?

Prepectoral placement of prosthetic devices is rapidly becoming the preferred method of breast reconstruction.

The objective of this study was to review long-term surgical and aesthetic outcomes following prepectoral prosthetic breast reconstruction.

The study included 90 patients (139 breasts). Follow-up for all patients ranged from at least 1 year up to a maximum of 4.3 years. Parameters analyzed included preoperative and postoperative breast symmetry, rippling, edge visibility, and capsular contracture, as well as secondary procedures such as fat grafting, implant exchange, contralateral procedures, and autologous flap conversion.

The incidence of breast symmetry, which was noted preoperatively in 84.4% of patients, gradually declined to 68.9% after 1 to 2 years and to 56.7% after 2 to 5 years. Rippling and edge visibility were noted in 19.4% and 12.9% of patients, respectively. Explantation without replacement of the device was performed in 12 breasts (8.6%). Secondary procedures included autologous fat grafting (23.7%), implant replacement (7.2%), conversion to an autologous flap (12.2%), and a contralateral breast procedure in 15 of 41 patients (36.6%). Capsular contracture (grade 3-4) was demonstrated in 14 of 139 breasts (10.1%).

Prepectoral breast reconstruction can provide good to excellent short-term (1-2 years) and longer-term (2-4.3 years) benefits; however, over time, the quality of prepectoral breast reconstruction as well as breast symmetry can change due to various factors.