Over the muscle placement would make things worse

Michael S. Beckenstein, MD answers: Over the muscle implant placement after radiation therapy?

I have had a bilateral mastectomy. I have under the muscle silicone implants. I had radiation treatment on the right breast and the implant is uncomfortable when using my arm and my muscle is very tight. Is it best to have my implants placed over the muscle? I had gone through the expander process before the implants.


Michael S. Beckenstein, MD
8 months ago
By Michael S. Beckenstein, MD - Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

The failure rate for implant reconstruction in a radiated breast is at least 50%. Hopefully, this was discussed with you during your course of treatment. Changing the pocket for the implant, above the muscle will increase the contracture rate and  others as well. Conversion to a natural tissue reconstruction may be the best option if a capsolotomy/capsulectomy (procedures to loosen up the capsule) is attempted and fails.

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