Capsular Contracture: Etiology and Treatment Options

Abstract

Complications during esthetic surgery of the breast are now rare mainly because of advanced techniques in surgery, better implants as well as an improved ability to predict the possibility of these complications with an early remedy for them. One of the most distressing complications following breast augmentation surgery is “capsular contracture.” Capsule formation is a normal part of healing process wherein the body creates a fibrous wall around any foreign body. This is a good thing in most instances even in a breast implant as it gives support to the implant and keeps it in place, thus preventing any displacement. Unfortunately in some people this scar capsule can undergo thickening causing tightness, distortion of the breast as well as pain in extreme cases. Various modalities of treatment, non-surgical as well as surgical are discussed in detail in this chapter.