Infected Implant After Brest Reconstruction No Radiation

Had double mastectomy with expander placement. One expander became infected and was removed. Have since had bilateral silicone implants placed with lat flap to non-expanded breast. Lat flap breast has since become infected. What are my chances of clearing this infection without having to remove the implant? Concerned in CP

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6 Doctor Answers | Asked by Concerned12065 in Clifton Park, NY

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Infected Breast Reconstruction Implants

Hi, I'm sorry to hear about the problems you've had on your breast reconstruction journey. When you say that the lat dorsi flap is infected, I'm assuming that the infection is around the implant underneath the lat doris flap. The lat dorsi flap does provide a good blood supply to the surface on the breast implant. You (obviously) should be on very strong IV antibiotics to try to clear this infection and your plastic surgeon will monitor you closely to see if the antibiotics are... more

Breast reconstruction, nipple reconstruction, breast cancer, DCIS, mastectomy, TUG flap, DIEP flap, Latissimus flap, fat graft i

Infections are always difficult to deal with but cultures should be taken and the appropriate antibiotics started. This is a way to downstage an infection. Taking you to the operating room and removing the device and replacing it with a new device is an option as well. Also taking the device out and leaving it out is possible as well. Work closely with your surgeon to be guided in the process. Every surgeon handles thesee cases differently. I personally... more

Infected with implant

Difficult . I will remove an implant and take cultures at one setting. Treat the infection with the help of an infectious disease team if needed. wait till it is cleared and re-insert a new expander to re-create the space.

Infected implants

If you have a bad infection of your implants, then more than likley they will need to be removed and then the reconstruction revisited in a few months later once things have settled down. Good luck.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Infected implants

Dear Concerned, In cases similar to yours you might need to have the implant taken out and the pocket irrigated with antibiotic solution, a drain may be necessary. You may have to go without an implant for a few weeks to allow for clearance of the infection and healing of the area. In addition to oral antibiotics of course. Sometimes changing the pocket where the implant is placed and using smooth implants can help. Unfortunately this is a difficult situation that has... more

Breast reconstruction

The answer depends on how far post op you are and if the infection is superficial. You may need either a sonogram or an MRI to see if there is fluid around the implant. If there is fluid it is more likely that the implant would need to be removed.