Before and after breast revision in a 29 year old woman with capsular contracture of her right breast. She had a previous breast augmentation and developed increased scar tissue around her right implant that caused it to sit higher and more projecting than the left side.
A capsulectomy (surgical excision of scar tissue around the implant to reopen the pocket) and implant exchange to a new device restored symmetry as a short outpatient procedure. Most breast implant manufacturers now have a warranty that covers breast implant complications such as capsular contracture for the first 10 years after surgery, providing our patients will a new breast implant.
Since most cases of capsular contracture are thought to be related to the development of a bacterial biofilm, a sample of the capsule (scar tissue around the implant) was sent to the Microbiology lab for Gram Stain and bacterial culture. Results were negative after 4 days of culture in the lab, which bodes well for a very low risk of recurrence.
Her breast drain was removed in a week and she started breast implant massage in a few days. She has not had any additional problems. Follow up photos are shown at 2 months after surgery.
*All photos are actual patient photographs and are for illustrative purposes only. Individual results may vary.
