Guidelines and indications for breast implant capsulectomy
Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Endoscopic Bilateral Nipple-sparing Mastectomy via a Single Axillary Incision with Immediate Pre-pectoral Implant-based Breast Reconstruction
Published on: May 17, 2024
1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
Abstract:
This article discusses indications for performing a capsulectomy in conjunction with explantation of breast implants. This issue has rarely been addressed in the literature, and there is no consensus on guidelines to assist surgeons in deciding whether a capsulectomy is warranted. The many factors that must be weighed when considering performance of a capsulectomy are outlined, and recommendations for the explantation contexts in which capsulectomy may be considered optional or should usually be performed are given. Capsulectomy may be indicated in the majority of instances when breast implants are removed or exchanged, but the potential risks of capsule removal must always be balanced against the potential benefits.

