Surgical Procedures
Explantation of Breast Implants
Procedure in which breast implants are removed from a patient who previously underwent breast augmentation but no longer wishes to keep the implants.
The reasons for making this decision can be diverse and include:
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Implants that are too large and causing back pain -
Contracture or abnormal scarring of the breast capsule -
Ruptured implants -
Chronic seroma or inflammatory fluid around the implants -
Deteriorated implants -
Explicit desire to no longer have implants -
ASIA syndrome (Autoimmune/Inflammatory Syndrome Induced by Adjuvants) -
Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), among others. .
This secondary procedure can be scheduled without major complications, and therefore, regaining shape with a change in volume is equally valid for these patients. The use of autologous fat transfer (lipotransfer) can increase breast volume and repair minor defects caused by tissue atrophy. However, the results can never be equal to those achieved with breast augmentation using implants in terms of shape and volume.
If the skin is elastic and the removed implant is small, it may be possible to partially restore the previous implant shape. However, when these conditions are not met, uncontrolled scar retraction can cause the remaining breast tissue to wrinkle and/or deform in a non-aesthetic manner. Therefore, the surgeon may recommend immediate reconstruction through a mastopexy, which will generally result in a significantly smaller breast volume for all patients.
All partially or completely removed capsules should be sent for pathological examination to rule out any malignant processes associated with the implants. In most cases, explantation is performed under general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. Pre-anesthetic evaluation and preoperative laboratory tests are required, as in the initial surgery.
The breast explantation procedure is considered safe, but like any surgery, potential risks include bleeding, hematomas, infection, poor healing, seromas, thrombosis, among others. However, choosing a certified specialist with experience in this surgery, a reputable clinic accredited by the regulatory body, and making an informed decision will help ensure that the entire process proceeds smoothly without major difficulties.
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