Outcome Analysis of 852 Breast Implant Check Assessments: The Added Value of Clinician-operated Ultrasound

Long-term complications after breast implant surgery include seroma, implant rupture, implant rotation, capsular contraction, and breast implant-associated lymphoma. Implant-related complications become more frequent over time. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the added value of bedside ultrasound compared with clinical examination alone for screening breast implant-related complications.

A total of 852 consecutive patients with breast implants were assessed from June 2020 to September 2024 at the International Breast Implant Check Clinic of Victoriakliniken. Patients were evaluated for complaints, clinical findings, and ultrasound examination of the implants. Assessment for possible rupture was performed using ultrasound only. Data on complications, implants, and patient characteristics were collected.

The average implant age was 10.8 years at assessment. A total of 769 (90%) patients had submuscular implants. Of these, 578 (68%) had anatomical implants, and in 691 (81%) patients, the implant surface was textured. Clinical examination identified 22 (3%) patients with seroma, 19 (2%) with rotated implants, and 173 (20%) with capsular contractures. Ultrasound additionally detected 8 cases (1%) of seroma, 27 cases (3%) of rotation, and 119 cases (14%) of implant rupture. Of the detected seroma cases, 3 patients were diagnosed with breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma.

Ultrasound examination provides a powerful adjunct to clinical examination by detecting complications such as seroma and rupture that may otherwise go undiagnosed. This long-term assessment of breast implant-related complications highlights the need for regulated follow-up to improve patient safety.