Late side effects related to inflatable breast prostheses containing soluble steroids

Long-term follow-up of 12 patients who have undergone augmentation mammaplasty with breast prostheses containing 62.5 mg of methylprednisolone hemisuccinate is presented. Significant complications, including prosthesis ptosis, atrophy and thinning of overlying breast tissue, impending extrusion, and capsular contracture are discussed. Excellent results can be followed by significant complications many years later. Many of these changes are reversible when steroid-containing prostheses are exchanged for new nonsteroid prostheses. Long-term follow-up of patients who have undergone augmentation mammaplasty with prostheses containing steroids is recommended.