Breast Augmentation: Q&A
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My Doctor Thinks my Implant is Infected with Staph. How Can Staph Get Inside an Implant?
Submuscular breast augmentation 10yrs ago, bottomed out, had 2nd surgery w/in 6mths(implants placed over muscle). 3yrs ago contracted internal staph infection(right breast), treated w/ antibiotics & cleared up. 8mths ago had surgery(same breast), removed papilloma. 1mth ago got 2nd staph infection(same breast), taking antibiotics, MRI & appt with disease specialist scheduled. Dr thinks implant is infected. How can staph get into a saline implant thru the silicone sack w/no apparent saline leak?
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15 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
Rightone
in Santa Rosa, CA
+2
Biofilm and Breast Implants
Our skin is always colonized with some type of staph bacteria and often women's breast ducts are also colonized . Staphyloccus can be very difficult to irradicate especially in the presence of a foreign body such as an implant. Small amounts of the bacteria secrete a gelatinous material that is called a biofilm. This biofilm hides the bacteria and makes it difficult for antibioptics or the body's own protective mechanisms to fight the infection. Implant...
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+1
Infection and implants
If you have an infection around the implant, it more than likely has to be removed. Without an exam I can not be sure.
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How an breast implant gets infected
Breast implants are made of a silicone rubber shell and is filled with either silicone gel or saline solution. It is a foreign material placed into the body and due to that fact alone, is prone to infection over living tissues. In addition, bacteria are everywhere, even with use of sterile technique in the operating room, we can only hope to decrease the number of bacteria that come in contact with implants as we place them into the body, and even with the best technique some...
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Staph infection after breast augmentation
Hi,
I am so sorry to hear about your complication. The staph infection is more likely in the 'pocket' that your PS made when the implant was placed and not IN the implant. I am glad you are seeing an infectious disease specialist. I would recommend removing the implant altogether until the infection has been irradicated completely. Best of luck to you.
Sincerely,
Dr. H
+1
Staph infection
You seem to imply that the infection is 'within' the implant. If so then you definitely need to provide more information. Are you symptomatic?
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Breast implant infection has come back
Infections with breast implants are not caused by bacteria inside the implant. Bacteria will set up in the breast capsule, or on the outside surface of the implant. The surface of the implant can from a place for the bacteria to 'hide' and antibiotics are not always able to fight off the infection, with a recurrence after the antibiotics are stopped. If antibiotics don't clear things up, infections rapidly respond when the implants are removed.
Best of luck,
peterejohnsonmd
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Recurrent capsule contractures and infections
This has been a long and difficult road for you. It is very difficult for women to give up their breasts implants once they have them but you are unlikely to ever have a good result with breast implants. You may be at the point where there is nothing else to offer that would help except for removing the implants and capsule. You may or may not be a candidate for external breast expansion and fat grafting in the future but this is possibly something you could consider if the...
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Staph Infection around Breast Implant
It's not your implant that it is infected, its the capsule surrounding the implant. There is recent evidence to suggest that biofilms may play a role in capsular contractures. These are colonies of bacteria that form a protective layer over themselves which makes them particularly resistant to antiobiotics. It is extremely difficult to completely cure an infection with an implant in place. The implant needs to be removed along with the capsule. If it is only...
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Difficult Problem.
The inside of the implant doesnt get infected but the pocket around the implant. You have had significant issues with your implants and multiple surgeries, not to mention the expense. Some times it is best to take out the implants and let all the infection clear up and then replace them. I t is very difficult to clear an infection with a foreign body in human tissue. If you begin to have fevers and tendernous this is the saftest choice. good luck
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San Francisco Plastic Surgeon
+1
Infection after breast augmentation
Sorry to hear that you have an infection after your surgery. Your recurrent infection is most likely due to colonization of bacteria around your implant/capsule. Our body is colonized with bacteria on our skin. During the surgery, bacteria on our skin (mostly Staph) might have gone into your implant/implant pocket. If you continue to have recurrence or infection does not clear up with antibiotics, you may need to get the implant out for awhile. Good luck to you.
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Infection with breast implants
I agree in that your capsule is most likely colonized. In addition, give your history of multiple procedures, a length of time between the procedures, and repeated infections, you most likely are colonized with a bacteria that has seeded the tissue surrounding the implant. These bacteria are often difficult to erradicate and can require either a different antibiotic choice, or ultimately, removing the implant, potentially the capsule, and letting your tissues heal together with the intention...
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Breast Augmentation Infection
Hello and thank you for the question.
As my colleague suggested, it is likely that the infection may involve the capsule surrounding the implant as opposed to the implant itself. You may require a trial of explantation to allow your breasts to heal and the infection reside definitiively.
Best of luck,
Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S.
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INFECTION FOLLOWING BREAST AUGMENTATION
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Staph infection and breast implants
While your history is a bit confusing, the answer to your question is that bacteria can seed the implant either through the orginal surgery when the implants is inserted, through breasts ducts communicating the external world to the internal breast tissue amd the implant, or by the blood stream from another source such as a urinary tract infection of skin infection.
Robin T.W. Yuan, M.D.
+1
The infection involves around the implants
The infection does not involve the inside the implant but the capsule around the implant. You may have to take the implants out and let it heal.
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