Long-Term Follow-Up of Women with Cosmetic Breast Implants: How Long Is Long Enough?

A clinical study of late seroma in breast implantation surgery

BACKGROUND

The use of mammary implants may lead to a variety of early and delayed complications. The most common delayed complications are capsular contracture and implant failure. Late seroma has seldom been reported. In a long-term prospective observational study, cases of late seroma were assessed and recorded.

METHODS

Between March 2005 and November 2009, suspected cases of late seroma in patients who had undergone breast augmentation or reconstruction with textured implants were evaluated clinically and with instrumental analyses. An ultrasound-guided needle aspiration of the fluid was performed.

RESULTS

In this study, 13 cases of late seroma (8 augmentations and 5 reconstructions) were observed. The overall incidence of this complication was 1.68%. Chemical analyses confirmed the diagnosis of seroma, which recurred in all the patients within days of evacuation. For 12 patients, a reoperation was performed, during which the implant was removed, a total capsulectomy was performed, and in cases of subglandular breast augmentation, the implant pocket was changed to a submuscular placement before a new prosthesis was inserted. One patient underwent a second ultrasound-guided needle aspiration. No seroma recurrence was observed in any of the patients during the follow-up period.

CONCLUSION

In case of unexpected breast enlargement after prosthesis implantation, the physician should first rule out infection, then investigate possible friction irritation from either a fold in the device or rubbing of a textured implant. According to the authors' experience and another report, this complication occurs in 1% to 2% of cases. The inclusion of this complication in the informed consent form should be considered. Long-term studies designed to investigate the underlying causes of late seroma are warranted for the prevention and treatment of this complication.

The relationship of silicone breast implants and cancer at other sites

BACKGROUND

Although most attention regarding the effects of silicone breast implants on cancer risk has focused on breast cancer, there have also been concerns regarding effects on other cancers. This includes malignancies that could occur as a result of foreign-body carcinogenesis (sarcomas) or immune alterations (hematopoietic malignancies), or cancers suggested as possibly elevated on the basis of previous epidemiologic studies (cancers of the cervix, vulva, lung, and brain).

METHODS

Searches of the English language literature on the topic of silicone breast implants and cancer risk were conducted and reviewed to determine relationships that might have etiologic relevance.

RESULTS

Epidemiologic studies provide no support for an increased risk of either sarcoma or multiple myeloma among breast implant recipients, disputing clinical and laboratory findings suggesting such a link. Although a number of epidemiologic studies have demonstrated elevated risks of cervical, vulvar, and lung cancers among breast implant patients, it is likely that these excesses relate more to lifestyle characteristics (e.g., cigarette smoking, sexual behavior) than to the effects of the implants. Brain cancer excesses, suggested in one study, have not been confirmed in either an update of the mortality experience in this study or on the basis of other investigations.

CONCLUSIONS

At present, there is no convincing evidence that breast implants alter the risk of nonbreast malignancies. Breast implant patients should continue to be monitored for longer term risks and to assess whether cancer risk is influenced by various patient and implant characteristics.

Prothèses mammaires de 1957 changées en 2005: un recul exceptionnel et historique de 48 ans

A 78-year-old woman underwent a breast implants removal on August 2005. The prosthetic breast augmentation was performed during 1957, in France. The photos of these polyethylene made breast implants are shown.

A long-term study of outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction with breast implants

BACKGROUND

Breast implants have been used worldwide for more than 40 years. Despite extensive clinical experience, there is continued concern about the safety of these devices. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy, complication rates, frequency of reoperation, and degree of patient satisfaction with different types of implants.

METHODS

This is a consecutive, population-based study consisting of all patients receiving implants at a multidisciplinary breast center between 1979 and 2004 (25 years). A prospective implant database was constructed and maintained in Excel, and statistical analysis was performed using SAS 8.2. Various outcomes, including infections, hematomas, undesirable waviness, capsular contracture, deflation, rupture, reoperation, and patient satisfaction, were monitored.

RESULTS

Data were collected on 3495 implants in 1529 women. The longer implants were in place, the greater the cumulative risk of developing contracture; hematoma significantly increased the risk of contracture; smooth and textured implants had similar contracture rates; polyurethane foam-covered implants had a reduced risk of contracture persisting for at least 10 years after implantation. There was a relatively high rate of reoperation and a relatively short interval between primary surgery and reoperation; the most common indication for reoperation was capsular contracture. Implant recipients expressed a high overall level of satisfaction.

CONCLUSIONS

Breast implants are associated with a significant rate of local complications and reoperation. There are marked differences in outcomes as a function of implant surface type and surgical indication. Despite relatively frequent complications and reoperations, implant recipients are largely satisfied.