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Breast capsule persistence after breast implant removal
W B Rockwell1, H D Casey, C A Cheng
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|March 26, 1998
Summary
Breast implant capsules, a foreign body immune response, may not always be reabsorbed after implant removal. This study found persistent capsules in eight women, persisting for years after silicone breast implant removal.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Immunology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Breast implant capsules represent a foreign body immune response to implanted devices.
- Capsulectomy (surgical removal of the capsule) following breast implant removal has been debated.
- A hypothesis suggests capsules are unnecessary to remove as the body resorbs them once the implant is gone.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the persistence of breast implant capsules after implant removal.
- To challenge the notion that capsules are always resorbed by the body post-explantation.
Main Methods:
- Case series reporting on eight women.
- Follow-up duration ranging from 10 months to 17 years after silicone breast implant removal.
Main Results:
- Persistent breast implant capsules were observed in all eight women studied.
- Capsules remained present for extended periods, up to 17 years, after the removal of the inciting implant.
Conclusions:
- The foreign body immune response leading to capsule formation can persist long-term even after implant removal.
- Capsulectomy may still be indicated in certain cases following breast implant removal due to capsule persistence.