We have had a number of patients who come to the clinic having had 2 or even 3 breast augmentations for recurrent capsular contracture only to have it recur again. What many people don’t realize is that in many cases the capsular contracture is due to a slow, indolent, subclinical infection with s. epidermidis which typically grows on the skin. The organism is introduced into the cavity created for the implant at the time of surgery. A subclinical infection ensues, resulting in thick, hardened capsules as the body attempts to wall off the infection.
How Can Capsular Contractures be Treated
For this reason, we remove the implants, perform a removal of the capsule around the breast implant and wait for 3 months for the body to clear the infection completely before reinserting breast implants. We also take cultures at the time of surgery and place the patient on a course of antibiotics to assist the patient in clearing the infection.
I am Getting A Breast Implant. How Can Capsular Contracture Be Avoided?
This can be prevented by using the “no-touch” technique. In this technique, the implant is not touched by gloves but rather introduced into the breast cavity for the implant with the use of Keller funnel so that the implant never comes into contact with the skin.
If you have experienced this problem, please call us for a consultation.
