Evaluation of Major Complications Following Ruptured Implant Removal: A National Surgery Quality Improvement Program...

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Patients undergoing ruptured breast implant removal face choices: implant replacement, no replacement, or mastopexy for aesthetic shape.
• Understanding patient demographics and surgical choices is crucial for managing outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze demographic differences in patients selecting various surgical options after ruptured breast implant removal.
• To evaluate the complication profile of procedures performed concurrently with ruptured implant removal.

Main Methods:

• The study utilized the American College of Surgeons' National Surgery Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database (2011-2022).
• Surgical procedures at the time of ruptured breast implant removal (CPT 19330) were analyzed, excluding breast cancer-related codes.
• Patients were categorized into implant replacement, no replacement, and mastopexy subgroups for demographic and complication rate comparisons.

Main Results:

• The majority of patients (54.9%) opted for new implant placement.
• Among those not replacing implants, 12.2% underwent mastopexy.
• All groups exhibited low complication rates, including infection (0.9%-2.4%), abscess (0.0%-1.4%), dehiscence (0.3%-0.5%), and bleeding (0.0%-0.6%). Reoperation and readmission rates were also low.

Conclusions:

• Ruptured breast implant removal is a safe procedure with a favorable complication profile.
• Patient outcomes are consistently good, irrespective of the decision to replace implants or opt for mastopexy.