The patient is a woman in her mid 30’s who had breast augmentation performed in Europe approximately 10 years ago. The implants were placed via an incision through the nipple. Incisions through and around the nipple are associated with higher incidence of painful and distorting scar around the implant called a contracture, as well as infection.
She had mild contractures, but no complaints until she recently presented to the Emergency Department feeling unwell and with a swollen, painful, red right breast. She was diagnosed with an infection of the space around the implant and started on antibiotics. She had improvement of her symptoms, but had worsening contracture.
She elected to have the right implant removed with capsulectomy and a new implant replaced approximately 6 months later via an inframammary fold incisionto minimize chances of contracture and recurrent infection. The left side was treated similarly for symmetry. She thus far has a nice aesthetic improvement, but may be at higher risk for implant problems in the future.
