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Leaking Around Breast Implant Incision

asked 3 years ago by Caki in Raleigh,nc
Latest answer by Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Question viewed 6,421 times
Tags: incision, leak, normal

I had breast augmentation on June 25, lots of pain from the beginning, no fever, redness or ternderness although I never had total pain relief at anytime after the implants. On August 15, my left breast had a pin size hole in the incision and was leaking pus. I called the doctor and was immediately put on Keflex, The following Monday another physician took a culture.

I saw my doctor Wednesday and he opened the incision and cleaned it. The following Wednesday the right breast developed a red swollen area at the incision and that one was opened and cleaned but by the next day, Friday the right breast was oozing again and by the next Tuesday the left breast had to be reopened and cleaned again.

I have seen an infectious disease doctor and thus far have had approximately 7 cultures and 1 tissue culture and to date no growth. I was on 2 different antibiotics. My implants were removed on Monday Sept 8 due to more leaking around incisions. Both breasts had drain tubes placed. The left drain was removed sept 11. Anti biotics were stopped on Sept 22. The right drain is still in and continues to have a yellowish gunky fluid. The Doctors seem to be stumped as to the cause or solution.

I was wondering if any Physician has heard of a similar situation? Thank you

13 answers to Leaking Around Breast Implant Incision

Sterile Abscess: The Cure is a Bitter Pill to Swallow

Although they are fortunately quite rare (approximately 1-2% of cases), infection following breast augmentation is a disastrous complication. Most infections develop over the course of the first week to ten days after surgery, and because patients most always receive antibiotics at the time of surgery and usually for several days after surgery, the infection may develop more slowly. Often, even if there is draining pus, there may be no identifiable bacterial growth because it has been... more

Athleo Louis Cambre, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Cultures can sometimes be negative when an infection is present

As the infectious disease doctor probably told you, sometimes cultures can be negative even when an infection is present especially when you are on antibiotics. This is a very unfortunate situation however infection is one of those rare risks of breast augmentation that is very difficult to treat when it does happen. Implant removal is sometimes what needs to be done and you have already seen and infectious disease doctor. Good luck!

Evan Sorokin, MD
Cherry Hill Plastic Surgeon

Mycobacterial or fungal infections?

I sympathize with your situation. It seems as if all the proper actions have been taken. Despite the best of care, problems can arise and the most important thing is to manage them appropriately. Have the cultures been sent for mycobacterial or fungal infections? These are extremely rare causes of breast implant infection but given your unusual history, it is a possibility.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

While rare, your infection seems to have been treated appropriately

As you can see from the other answers, breast implant infection is a very rare complication. Fortunately, your doctor did the right thing and removed the implants because there is really no way to clear this without removing the prosthetic material. Once the drains are out and the tissues have settled down, new implants can be inserted. This is usually 6-12 weeks later. It is usually not possible to determine the exact cause of the infection. All of this is very frustrating to the... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Implant infections do happen

Although rare, breast implant infections do occur. It sounds as if it took a few weeks for your infection to develop, which is not uncommon. The fact that cultures have been negative to date is inconsequential since you were placed on antibiotics before cultures were obtained. The antibiotics may have knocked down enough bacteria to make your cultures show no growth. There is a type of bacteria that may take 6 weeks to grow in culture however, known as mycobacterium. Discussion with... more

Kenneth R. Francis, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

www.francisnyplasticsurgery.com

Persistent Drainage

My sympathies for your difficult and trying experience. The persistent drainage may require removal of the capsules (lining) that formed around the implants. Not having a culture to indicate the cause of the infection is frustrating, but can occur. Ask your doctors about the possibility of a fungal infection as a cause. Wait at least 3 months after you are completely healed off antibiotics before replacing the implants.

Paul C. Zwiebel, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

www.pzwiebel.com

Persistent drainage after breast implant removal might require removal of the capsule.

I hope that your problem is solved as I am writing this reply. If not, the capsule that formed around your prosthesis when it was in place may be the source of the infection. Another operation might be required. You situation is rare but sad. I hope things turn out well for you in a hurry.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant complications

Sometimes cultures can be negative even when an infection is present especially when you are on antibiotics. Infection is a very unfortunate situation in breast augmentation and is very difficult to treat when it does happen. Implant removal is sometimes what needs to be done. Everyone has heard of a rare case like this. It happens more often in breast reconstruction than breast augmentation but simply because it is possible, it eventually is going to happen. Unfortunately you've had... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Infected breast implants

In cases of infected breast implant it is very important to remove the capsule. The capsule can persist and harbor the bacteria and continue to seed the infection. In your case if the capsule was not removed then you need another surgery to remove the capsule.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Leaking breast implants need judgement

I agree that the proper steps have been taken to remove the implants. Often, farily benign drainage can have a "gunky" appearance due to the presence of mucus and debris. I takes judgement as to whether this represents a persistent infection or not. Other factors such as your bloodwork, temperature and the appearance of the skin needs to be taken in to account. Good Luck!

Jeffrey Horowitz, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and infections

If you are still having significant drainage from the pockets, I would reassess the cultures to make sure something "funky" like a mycobacterium is not growing from them. I would also consider a secondary procedure to clean the pockets, perhaps even a capsulectomy to restore a healthy bed.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

After infected breast implants, you need capsulectomies.

Hi. Of course, I am not sure without examining you, but I think the reason you are still draining "gunk" is that the CAPSULE (lining around the breast implants) is still inside you, and still infected. I am afraid you need another operation, to either cut out or scrape out the capsule.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Leaking aroung breast implant incision rare problem

Hello, Infection on both sides following breast augmentation is very rare. Removal of the implants when the implant cavities are involved is the correct treatment. Good luck in getting things fixed once the time is right.