Before and after bilateral explantation in a 34-year-old woman with chronically contracted breast implants, worse on the left than the right. She was only six weeks out from her last revision when her body deposited excess scar tissue around both implants again. Her surgeon had removed some scar tissue via a capsulectomy but left the original implants in place.
Capsular contracture is believed to be due to bacteria around a breast implant – usually involving normal skin bacteria that enter into the pocket either early after surgery (especially if a peri-areolar incision is used) or possibly years after surgery via an infection elsewhere in the body, such as a tooth abscess, where bacteria can enter the bloodstream and travel to the implant space.
In response to microorganisms being detected, scar-producing cells called fibroblasts deposit scar tissue that thickens and can eventually contract around a breast implant. Capsular contracture is actually protective – the body is trying to protect the rest of the body from bacteria traveling elsewhere.
Her implants were removed in the office under local anesthesia. Removal of the entire capsule is not required, especially if a new breast implant is not going to be inserted. The scar tissue fades and softens on its own with time. Any bacteria in the pocket clears naturally, as there is no longer a foreign body in place.
Follow up photos are shown 9 months after surgery. she is very satisfied with her decision to have her breast implants removed, and she loves her “cute little breasts!”
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
