One of the most common concerns with breast implant plastic surgery is about the scar tissue that forms around the breast implant. The photographs that display the breast distortion that may occur with this problem can be very impressive looking. Fortunately the numbers of women with these most distorted looking breasts are becoming less and less frequent. A more common problem with a capsular contracture is the hardness of the breast. The distortion and pain are usually very late stage problems with capsular contracture. Regardless of the severity of the capsular contracture, a second plastic surgery is required.
A breast implant is placed above or below the chest muscle during a breast augmentation. Within a few weeks time frame, a thin scar tissue layer forms around the breast implant. This implant scar tissue layer is the thickness of a grape skin. Some plastic surgeons will place the breast implant in a pocket that is only large enough for the breast implant while others will make the pocket larger so the breast implant will be able to move around. The scar tissue layer or capsule forms on this edge of the pocket. So if the scar tissue or capsule is close to the implant then the scar contracture may be more likely to distort the breast implant. If the pocket is made in a more generous fashion and the breast implant is moved during the early post operative period then the scar tissue layer heals farther away from the implant and is much less likely to cause distortion.
Not all capsules become hard or thick. In few breast implant patients, over time the scar tissue capsule may become thicker and tighten around the implant. This capsule may develop the thickness of an orange peel. Usually if the capsule becomes this thick it will restrict the movement of the breast implant and make the breast mound feel firmer or even hard. The scar tissue layer can become so tight that it becomes smaller than the breast implant and then distorts the breast’s shape.
The tightening around the breast implant is called capsular contracture. It may be mild or severe. In mild cases, the capsule can be treated in surgery by partially removing the scar tissue and the cutting the remaining scar tissue to allow the pocket to be enlarged. In severe cases of capsular contracture, the scar tissue layer is completely removed in all the restricting directions. This type of severe capsular contracture is more common in older aged silicone gel implants placed above the muscle.
Capsular contracture is more common when breast implants are placed above the muscle. Capsular contracture may be caused by blood that was left in the pocket or collected around the breast implant after the breast augmentation. Capsular contracture may also be associated with low grade infections that may be contained within the scar tissue pocket. Regardless of the cause of the scar tissue formation, this process is not a rejection of the breast implant. This is complication or consequence that may occur after a breast augmentation.
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Disclaimer
This web site has been designed and created to assist in providing information about breast implants, and breast enhancement surgeries including breast augmentation. It is not meant to replace an informed consent document, or a visit with your plastic surgeon. This web site is for informational purposes only and not intended to provide medical advice.
