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Nowadays, breast implant is a demanding and trendy cosmetic surgery. It improves the looks and confidence of the person. This cosmetic surgery comes with various pros and cons, and one of the most common problems patients face is capsular contracture. This problem occurs due to the excessive implant tissue. In this blog, we will explain to you about breast augmentation capsular contracture, its symptoms, prevention, and treatments.
Understanding breast augmentation capsular contracture?
It is a common problem that patients suffer from after breast implants. During the healing process, your body covers the implant, and due to various reasons, it becomes scar tissue near the implant. The capsule is sometimes tight or hardened. It can distort the breast. It will even hurt. Sometimes the cause isn’t even identified. There may be an infection, some bleeding, or ruptured implants that cause it. Surgery, in some cases, can repair it.
How is Capsular Contracture Formed?
While the exact etiology of capsular contracture remains unclear, the presumed cause is a factor of infection, trauma, or reaction to the foreign object (breast implant) from an infectious, traumatic, or immune basis. Occasionally, the bacteria that have come onto the skin or which have been in place at the time of surgery or during the recovery period will produce a capsular contracture.
Symptoms and Signs of Capsular Contracture
The symptoms of breast augmentation capsular contracture may vary, but the most commonly experienced symptoms are:
| Symptoms and Signs | Description |
| Firmness | The breast feels abnormally hard or tight. |
| Pain | Pain or tenderness in the breast area. |
| Shape Changes | The breast can become misshapen or lopsided. |
| Visible Distortion | The breast will appear to be pulled out of form due to the hardened capsule. |
| Reduced Sensitivity | There may be numbness or loss of sensation in the nipple or breast due to compression over the nerves. |
Grading of Capsular Contracture
Capsular contracture is divided into four grades:
★ Grade I: The breast keeps its delicate and natural appearance.
★ Grade II: The breast is very slightly firm but otherwise normal in appearance.
★ Grade III: The breast will get stiff, and the size will change.
★ Grade IV: The breast gets stiff and tender, and the shape will change.
These grades help in the breast capsular contracture treatment. You will be able to choose the right treatment methods.
Causes of Capsular Contracture
Different reasons can help in generating the capsular contracture, some of them are given below-
● Bacterial Infection
Infection during or after surgery can cause inflammation, resulting in capsular contracture.
● Implant Leakage or Rupture
If the implant leaks or ruptures, the body may respond by producing too much scar tissue.
● Hematoma or Seroma
Scar tissue can grow when blood or fluid accumulates around an implant.
● Implant Surface Texture
Implants with a smooth surface can be at a greater risk than textured implants.
Treatments for the capsular contracture
1. Non-surgical procedures For Breast Capsular Contracture Treatment
• Medications
A few physicians prescribe anti-inflammatory medications like Singulair or Accolate. These medications could soften the capsule in its initial phases.
• Massage Therapy or Ultrasound
Ultrasound waves or routine massage (only on your doctor’s advice) can soften the tissue and decrease tightness.
• External Compression
Compression methods can bring short-term relief but are not necessarily a long-term solution.
2. Surgical Procedures for Breast Capsular Contracture Treatment
• Capsulectomy
Some critical cases need surgical treatment. In this process, the stiff part is removed. The surgeon can install the replacement implant during the surgery.
• Capsulotomy
The surgeon does not remove the capsule but rather opens it up to relieve the tightness. This procedure is less complicated than capsulectomy.
• Implant Exchange
In the worst cases, it needs to remove the complete implants and place new ones. Changing from smooth to textured or the other way around may also solve the problem.
3. Use of Acellular Dermal Matrix (ADM)
In this process, a supportive tissue, which is ADM, is inserted between the skin and the implant. It prevents recurrent contracture.
Conclusion
Breast augmentation capsular contracture causes pain and irritation. The same condition may, however, be prevented by having the right information, proper diagnosis, and appropriate management. Spending sufficient time in selecting a rational decision on a qualified surgeon, following post-operative instructions, and following up regularly will help you have a healthy, long-term experience with the breast implant.
Since you now understand the risks of breast augmentation, prevention, and how to proceed to treat capsular contracture, you will have more confidence in deciding to have better prevention care to achieve good outcomes from breast augmentation.
FAQs
1. What are the consequences if capsular contracture is not treated?
Capsular contracture can be treated, but if, for some reason, you did not treat it well, it will not be life-threatening. With passing time, it will become harder and will change the shape of the breast. It will also be painful.
2. Is the best thing I can do to avoid capsular contracture with breast augmentation?
You minimize the occurrence by seeing a qualified surgeon, having the implant placed under the muscle, using textured implants, and doing the massaging movements as instructed to keep the breast implant soft.
3. Does capsular contracture following breast augmentation commonly occur?
Capsular contracture is a well-documented side effect of augmentation mammoplasty, however, it does not affect everyone. Risk is very low if proper surgical technique and surgical follow-up are ensured.
4. What are the different types of breast capsular contracture treatment?
Its milder form is treated by massage therapy, and its severe forms are treated by capsulotomy, capsulectomy, or implant replacement.
5. Can capsular contracture be prevented with breast massage?
Yes, the implants are placed superiorly if time is available to the surgeon, a matter of weeks, to permit natural settling of the implant, sometimes resulting in the formation of a soft capsule. The preferred method of most surgeons for some of the reasons outlined above is breast massage.
6. Does capsular contracture always require surgery?
Only the more serious types of TLCC are treated surgically. I do occasionally manage mild TLCC on a nonoperative basis following breast augmentation with breast massage, medication, or close monitoring.
7. How many days after the surgery can capsular contracture occur?
After the breast implant surgery, it can happen within a week, a month, or a year. Monitor your breast firmness and shape and pain and discomfort, and overall general condition, and arrange to get assistance.
8. Will capsular contracture come back if I get it?
Yes. Recurrence is possible. Capsular contracture can even return when we properly treat the initial capsular contracture. The risk is greater if we do not treat the initial or root cause. Your surgeon will also have scheduled follow-up visits as per the condition of your breast.