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COMPLICATIONS AFTER BREAST IMPLANTATION.

The controversy over whether breast implants cause autoimmune disorders has received much publicity, but other complications are also notable. This population-based study examined complications requiring surgery among 749 residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota, who had a first breast implant at the Mayo Clinic between 1964 and 1991.

During a mean follow-up of eight years, at least one complication leading to surgery occurred in 24 percent of the women and 19 percent of the implants. Capsular contracture was by far the most common complication, followed by rupture, hematoma, wound infection, and wound seroma. Women having cosmetic implants had a much lower complication rate than those having implants after mastectomy for cancer or cancer prophylaxis. Complications after cosmetic implantation clustered during the first 60 days, after which the rate leveled off; in contrast, complications after mastectomy-related implantation continued to accrue at a steady rate throughout the first year after surgery. Complication rates were nearly identical for silicone and non-silicone implants.

Comment: A substantial minority of women having implants require surgery for complications. Data from this study may be useful for women weighing the benefits and risks of breast implantation.

— AS Brett

Published in Journal Watch General Medicine March 18, 1997

Citation(s):

Gabriel SE et al. Complications leading to surgery after breast implantation. N Engl J Med 1997 Mar 6 336 677-682.

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