Capsules do not dissolve!!!!

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COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO RETAINED

BREAST IMPLANT CAPSULES

Author: Hardt, N. S.; Yu, L.; LaTorre, G.; Steinbach, B.

Address: Dept. Pathology, University of Florida College of Medicine,

Gainesville, FL.

Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Feb., 1995, 95:2, 364-71

Abstract: Citing evidence that breast implant-related capsules resolve

uneventfully, surgeons have elected to leave the capsules in place when

implants are removed because capsulectomy adds both morbidity and expense to

the procedure. However, recent clinical and histopathologic evidence suggests

that uneventful resolution is not always the case, and several potential

problems may arise from retained capsules after removal of the implant.

Retained implant capsules may result in a spiculated mass suspicious for

carcinoma, dense calcifications that obscure neighboring breast tissue on

subsequent imaging studies, and cystic masses due to persistent serous

effusion, expansile hematoma, or encapsulated silicone filled cysts.

Furthermore, retained capsules are a reservoir of implant-related foreign

material in the case of silicone gel-filled implants and textured implants

promoting tissue ingrowth. To avoid complications from retained capsules,

total capsulectomy or postoperative surveillance should be offered to

patients.