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Once a breast implant is completed, fibrous scar tissues start developing around it. This results in the formation of a tissue capsule. Then your immune system starts generating protective capsules around the identified object. Generally, this tissue capsule is soft or mildly firm, barely noticeable, and helps keep the implants in place.
However, in some cases, a rigid abnormality forms a dense tissue capsule, which later becomes a condition called breast implant capsular contracture. This comprehensive article highlights the key causes of capsular contracture along with its signs and symptoms as well as some popular and effective treatments.
Understanding Capsular Contracture of Breast Implants?
The emergence and formation of scar tissue ‘capsules’ around the implant is normal. It is an inevitable part of the healing process. The human body immediately responds to any foreign object by attempting to isolate it. It develops a barrier around the scar tissue. Generally, it is believed to be a good thing in the case of breast implants. These capsule helps to keep the breast implants in place and prevent any type of slippage.
In some patients, this capsule of scar tissue becomes hard and starts to contract around the breast implant and this condition is known as capsular contracture breast implants. Later, this can lead to several issues such as severe pain in the breasts, aesthetic problems, implant displacement, rigid movement, and discomfort.
Grades of Capsular Contracture (Baker Scale)
Grades of capsular contracture breast implants are quite subjective. Generally, Baker grade 3 and grade 4 patients may have thicker capsules, however, baker grade 1 and grade 2 may have thick inflamed capsules which might make the implant more noticeable when it is removed.
Research shows that approximately one out of every six breast augmentation patients experience some degree of capsular contracture. However, not all cases are present with obvious symptoms. Let’s check out the severity of capsular contracture using a baker scale grading system:
| Grades | Level of Severity |
| Grade I | The breast is typically soft and looks natural |
| Grade II | The breast is slightly firm but looks absolutely normal |
| Grade III | The breast is firm and starts looking abnormal |
| Grade IV | The breast is hard, painful, and looks abnormal at this stage |
What are the Common Causes of Breast Implant Capsular Contracture
The body’s natural response to any foreign object is to create a fibrous tissue to help isolate it. However the exact reason behind capsular contracture of breast implants is unclear, several elements have nevertheless been identified that might boost the danger of growing in such extreme situations.
1. Bacterial Contamination
One of the leading theories suggests that bacterial infection at some point during a surgical procedure would possibly trigger the recuperation response, which could cause breast augmentation capsular contracture. Even a small number of bacteria can stimulate the body to create a thicker and more constrictive scar capsule across the implant. That’s why strict sterilization techniques and antibiotic prophylaxis are essential in the course of breast implant surgery.
2. Hematoma
A hematoma is a collection of blood inside the body tissues that can arise following any surgery, along with breast augmentation. If a hematoma develops across the breast implant, it can finally increase the hazard of breast implant capsular contracture. The body may respond to this blood collection by forming more aggressive scarring in the region. However, prompt breast capsular contracture treatment can be done to avoid any unnecessary risk.
3. Seroma
Just like the concept of hematoma described above, seroma is a collection of serous fluid within the body tissues. This fluid can accumulate around the implant after the surgical treatment. While seromas regularly remedy on their own after some time, their presence can accelerate infection and stimulate the formation of dense scar tissue, which later contributes to capsular contracture.
4. Implant Type and Surface
Another factor that might be a reason for capsular contracture is the type of breast implant and its floor texture that is being used during the treatment. There has been research out there indicating that textured implants have a lower risk of breast implant capsular contracture compared to smooth-surfaced implants. This might be because of the fact the textured surface interacts with the encompassing tissue, which may doubtlessly reduce the degree of scar tissue.
5. Surgical Technique
A surgeon’s technique can significantly impact the overall risk of breast augmentation capsular contracture. It means the way a surgeon handles the implant during the surgery may influence how the body reacts to it. For example, some surgeons can create excessive trauma to the tissue during the procedure. This can trigger a strong immune response leading to more scar tissue formation.
A professional and experienced medical professional can reduce those risks with the help of mild techniques, high-quality breast implants, and keen attention to every other precise detail.
Common Capsular Contracture of Breast Implant Symptoms
Capsular contracture development can occur from weeks to years after breast implant surgery. Generally, the symptoms often start and progress slowly. If you experience any unexpected changes to your breast shape, texture, and symmetry.
Then it’s time for you to schedule an appointment with your breast surgeon like Aspenaftersurgery to discuss all the possibilities of a capsular contraction. Let’s shed light on the symptoms and signs of capsular contracture breast implants, which include:
| Causes | Description |
| Firmness and Hardening of the Breast | The affected breast will feel abnormal, firm, and even hard when compared to the other side. It may feel like a ball under the skin. |
| Rippling or Wrinkling | If the contracture is severe, wrinkles can be easily seen on the surface of the breast. |
| Change in Breast Shape | The breast may look uneven, misshapen, or have an unnatural, round shape. |
| Pain | Ranging from mild discomfort to severe pain causing tightness and pressure exerted around the breast implant. |
| Implant Displacement | The contracting scar tissue may push the implants upwards making them appear a little too high on the chest area. |
| Asymmetry between Breasts | Asymmetry can be felt at the point, where one breast may become firmer, higher, and shaped weirdly as compared to the other ones. |
| Less Mobility of the Implant | The ability of the breast implants to move may get restricted due to rigid capsules. |
Options For Effective Treatment Of Capsular Contracture
A lot of times capsular contracture can be improved successfully with surgery. However, there is some risk involved as there is a chance of returning it even after treatment, all this happens due to the underlying scar tissue formation process that occurs in some patients. Therefore, regular follow-up and massages are often necessary to monitor and minimize recurrence. Capsular contracture of breast implant revision surgeries includes the following:
● Capsulectomy
In a capsulectomy, your surgeon removes both the existing breast implant and the enclosing tissue capsule. Then a new implant is inserted that is wrapped in a dermal matrix material sheet composed of collagen. This material serves as an extra layer of protection that helps the formation of new scar tissue capsules.
● Open Capsulotomy
During open capsulotomy, your surgeon aims to incise the tissue capsule enveloping the breast implant by making small incisions. In some cases, there is an occurrence of the possibility that your surgeon might opt to replace your current implant with a new one.
● Flap Reconstruction Surgery
Flap reconstruction surgery for capsular contracture treatment is another revision surgery. It involves, the surgeon attempting to eliminate the implant and then rebuild the breast. They use a flap of tissue that is transplanted from another region of the body for this purpose.
Conclusion
Dealing with breast implant capsular contracture can be a daunting task. However, understanding the condition equips you to make more informed decisions about your breast health. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms, then you can schedule a consultation with experts like Aspenaftersurgery.