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Breast Implants for Patient with History of MRSA?

Can I get Breast implants, even with a history of MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus) in my left breast due to mastitis?

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infection MRSA mastitis

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by jbears in CA

Doctor Answers (6)
Community Comments (1)

Proceed with caution, but proceed.

I have discussed this problem with an infectious disease colleague and have some suggestions. The first thing to know is that not all MRSA's are the same. The strain that is acquired in the hospital setting (" nosocomial") is different than the ones that arise outside of this setting ("community acquired stains"). The commuinty acquired strains are sensitive to more antibiotics, making them easier to treat. Frequently these are sensitive to Ciprofloxacin (Cipro),... more

History of MRSA and Breast implants

A history of MRSA and a desire to have implants are two different things. If you were treated for your mastitis, and it sounds like you did, then I do not see a specific contraindication if it is several months after treatment. Can you get an infection again, sure..like anyone else.

Steven Wallach, MD

13 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implants and MRSA

You can have breast implants but there is a lot to go through to REDUCE the risk of having implant infection and or capsular contracture. You will need to be on antibiotics before surgery. You will need vancomycin IV at the time of surgery and should be continued on antibiotics after surgery for about 1 week. You should not be having any discharge from the nipple and if you do it should be cultured prior to surgery. I would also recommend having the implants placed through the... more

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I just treated a patient with positive MRSA cultures

I sent my patient to an Infectious Disease consultant and his recommendation prior to surgery was Bactrim (antibiotic) starting 1 weeks prior to surgery and 1 week after, Bacroban ointment to her previously infected area, Vancomycin IV prior to surgery and then for 48 hours. This is a lot to go through but it is precisely what we did even though my patient only had a positive culture from a routine nasal swab. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon prior to your surgery. Dr Edwards... more

MRSA could be a problem

MRSA is certainly a difficult situation as is any infection when it comes to breast implants. If a breast implant becomes infected then it must be removed. No amount of antibiotic will clear the infection unless the implant is removed. It would be nice to know if you are a carrier for MRSA. A consideration for nasal cultures is a possibility. It would be important for your to wash your skin with a surgical scrub beginning the night prior to surgery and the morning of surgery. If the... more

You need to be free of the MRSA

As long as you are totally free of infection in the breast and have been properly cultured to see if you are not an MRSA carrier, you can have breast implants. You might carry a slightly higher risk of infection and realize that infected implants are treated by removal as antibiotics cannot cure an implant infection.

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Comments (1)

wldcheri72
10 months ago

I just found out that I have MRSA in both breasts after having breast implants 2 weeks ago. The doctor has been treating me for an infection since the day of surgery, but, 3 antibiotics later (including Cypro), I am having to have the implants removed to fight off the MRSA infection. My surgeon says I can have the implants put back in after the MRSA is treated and cleared. Is that something I should even consider? I worked a long time to get the implants and want to get them back, but am now worried about whether or not I should.

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