Long term results of inflatable mammary implants

In this retrospective study, the long term results of 167 inflatable mammary implants in 77 patients who underwent either breast reconstruction or augmentation between 1972 and 1990 were evaluated. All inflatable implants were manufactured by Heyer-Schulte/Mentor company, and were equipped with a posterior leaf valve (style 1800). The mean follow-up was 9 years (SD = 4.3). Complete deflation was found in 23.9% of the implants (22.2% deflation rate from 1972 to 1984 and 25.5% from 1985 to 1992). The incidence of this complication was significantly higher in patients who underwent previous open (p = 0.012) or closed (p = 0.038) capsulotomy. Severe contracture of the implant fibrous capsule (BAC 3 and 4) was found in 37.6% of the patients. Its incidence increased significantly when the postoperative blood loss (assessed by the volume of blood collected by suction drainage) exceeded 250 cc (p = 0.025). Neither the site of the implant (submuscular/subglandular) nor the indication for surgery (reconstruction/augmentation) influenced the rate of severe capsular contracture significantly in this retrospective study.