Capsular contracture

Grade IV capsular contracture in the right breast of a 29 y.o. woman, seven years after subglandular placement of 560cc silicone gel-filled breast implants.

Capsular contracture is a response of the immune system to foreign materials in the human body. Medically, it occurs mostly in context of the complications from breast implants and artificial joint prosthetics.

The occurrence of capsular contraction follows the formation of capsules of tightly woven collagen fibers, created by the immune response to the presence of foreign objects surgically installed to the human body, e.g. breast implants, artificial pacemakers, orthopedic prostheses; biological protection by isolation and toleration. Capsular contracture occurs when the collagen-fiber capsule shrinks, tightens and compresses the breast implant, much like the collapse of a bubble gum bubble.^[1] It is a medical complication that can be painful and discomforting, and might distort the aesthetics of the breast implant and the breast. Although the cause of capsular contracture is unknown, factors common to its incidence include bacterial contamination, rupture of the breast-implant shell, leakage of the silicone-gel filling, and hematoma.

Moreover, because capsular contracture is a consequence of the immune system defending the patient's bodily integrity and health, it might recur, even after the requisite corrective surgery for the initial incidence. The degree of an incidence of capsular contracture is graded using the four-grade Baker scale:

• Grade I — the breast is normally soft and appears natural in size and shape
• Grade II — the breast is a little firm, but appears normal
• Grade III — the breast is firm and appears abnormal
• Grade IV — the breast is hard, painful to the touch, and appears abnormal

The surgical implantation methods that have reduced capsular contracture include submuscular breast implant placement, using either textured or polyurethane-coated implants,^[2][3][4] limited handling of the implants, minimal contact with the chest wall skin before their insertions, and irrigating the surgical sites with triple-antibiotic solutions.^[5][6] The use of macrotextured implants and polyurethene-coated implants may increase the risk of BIA-ALCL, a rare form of lymphoma associated to the presence of breast implants.^[7][8]

The correction of capsular contracture might require the surgical removal (release) of the capsule, or the removal, and possible replacement, of the breast implant, itself. Closed capsulotomy (disrupting the capsule via external manipulation), a once-common maneuver for treating hard capsules, was discontinued because it might rupture the breast implant. Non-surgical methods of treating capsules include massage, external ultrasound,^[9] treatment with leukotriene pathway inhibitors (e.g. Accolate, Singulair),^[10][11] and pulsed electromagnetic field therapy.^[12]

Image taken after a capsular contracture scar tissue removal surgery, showing the removed implant and removed tissue capsule.^[13]

The Mentor Worldwide LLC corporation, one of the three, U.S. FDA-approved breast-implant device manufacturers, conducted a study of the medical complications suffered by breast implantation surgery patients. In March 2000, at a Food and Drug Administration presentation, the Mentor report indicated that 43 per cent of patients with saline breast implants reported medical complications occurring within three years of the surgery; moreover, 10 per cent of that percentage group complained of capsular contracture.^{[citation needed]}

Sources

• Section on Complications from the FDA Breast Implant Consumer Handbook - 2004. Most of the above text was copied verbatim from this public domain source.
• Safety of Silicone Breast Implants. Institute of Medicine National Academy Press, Washington, D.C. 2000.
• Breast Augmentation and Breast Implants Information Website - ImplantInfo by Nicole
• Breast Augmentation Surgery Risk & Complications Website - BreastAugmentation101

References

1. Dr. Ted Eisenberg and Joyce K. Eisenberg, ‘’The Scoop on Breasts: A Plastic Surgeon Busts the Myths,’’ Incompra Press, 2012, ISBN 978-0-9857249-3-1
2. Barnsley, G. Philip; Sigurdson, Leif J.; Barnsley, Shannon E. (2006). "Textured Surface Breast Implants in the Prevention of Capsular Contracture among Breast Augmentation Patients: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 117 (7): 2182–90. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000218184.47372.d5. PMID 16772915. S2CID 35420582.
3. Wong, Chin-Ho; Samuel, Miny; Tan, Bien-Keem; Song, Colin (2006). "Capsular Contracture in Subglandular Breast Augmentation with Textured versus Smooth Breast Implants: A Systematic Review". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 118 (5): 1224–36. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000237013.50283.d2. PMID 17016195. S2CID 29643167.
4. Handel, N; Gutierrez, J (2006). "Long-term safety and efficacy of polyurethane foam-covered breast implants". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 26 (3): 265–74. doi:10.1016/j.asj.2006.04.001. PMID 19338905.
5. Mladick, Richard A. (1993). "?No-Touch? Submuscular saline breast augmentation technique". Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 17 (3): 183–92. doi:10.1007/BF00636260. PMID 8213311. S2CID 39767802.
6. Adams, William P.; Haydon, M. Scott; Raniere, Joseph; Trott, Suzanne; Marques, Marisa; Feliciano, Michael; Robinson, Jack B.; Tang, Liping; Brown, Spencer A. (2006). "A Rabbit Model for Capsular Contracture: Development and Clinical Implications". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 117 (4): 1214–9, discussion 1220–1. doi:10.1097/01.prs.0000208306.79104.18. PMID 16582789. S2CID 40441977.
7. "Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL)". Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
8. Loch-Wilkinson, Anna; Beath, Kenneth J; Magnusson, Mark R; Cooter, Rodney; Shaw, Karen; French, James; Vickery, Karen; Prince, H Miles; Deva, Anand K (2020-07-13). "Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma in Australia: A Longitudinal Study of Implant and Other Related Risk Factors". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 40 (8): 838–846. doi:10.1093/asj/sjz333. ISSN 1090-820X. PMID 31738381.
9. Planas, Jorge; Cervelli, Valerio; Planas, Gabriel (2001). "Five-Year Experience on Ultrasonic Treatment of Breast Contractures". Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 25 (2): 89–93. doi:10.1007/s002660010102. PMID 11349308. S2CID 2784003.
10. Schlesinger, S; Ellenbogen, R; Desvigne, MN; Svehlak, S; Heck, R (2002). "Zafirlukast (Accolate): A new treatment for capsular contracture". Aesthetic Surgery Journal. 22 (4): 329–36. doi:10.1067/maj.2002.126753. PMID 19331987.
11. Scuderi, Nicolò; Mazzocchi, Marco; Fioramonti, Paolo; Bistoni, Giovanni (2006). "The Effects of Zafirlukast on Capsular Contracture: Preliminary Report". Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. 30 (5): 513–20. doi:10.1007/s00266-006-0038-3. PMID 16977359. S2CID 251008.
12. Silver, Harold (1982). "Reduction of Capsular Contracture with Two-Stage Augmentation Mammaplasty and Pulsed Electromagnetic Energy (Diapulse Therapy)". Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. 69 (5): 802–8. doi:10.1097/00006534-198205000-00013. PMID 7071225. S2CID 8451166.
13. "Beverly Hills Capsular Contracture Surgery Information". Dr John Diaz, MD - Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon. Retrieved 2024-04-03.