Aesthetic outcome of breast implant removal

Abstract

There have been significant postoperative problems following breast augmentation, including capsule contracture, infection, thinning of tissues over the implant, malposition, implant rupture, rippling, and fear of the silicone implant from the media scare and U.S. Food and Drug Administration. There are occasions when a patient will choose implant removal. Following removal there may be breast tissue loss, ptosis, loss of cleavage, loss of upper-pole fullness, and irregularities. The patient may then desire reconstruction, the type of which is determined by the defect or deficit. Implant reimplantation may be a solution, or autogenous tissue reconstruction may be necessary. © 2009 Springer-Verlag.