Marked thinning of the breast skin flaps after the insertion of implants containing triamcinolone

In 14 mastectomy patients I did bilateral breast reconstruction with double gel-saline implants. In the first two patients we added triamcinolone to the saline solution, and they developed marked thinning and atrophy of the whole anterior surface of each breast--with impending rupture and loss of the cutaneous coverage. The implants were removed, and other implants (not containing any steroid) were inserted. Satisfactory results followed. In 12 other patients I used double implants containing 10 to 20 mg of methylprednisolone (instead of triamcinolone). The above complication has not appeared in this group.