Am I Prone to Capsular Contracture if I Scar Easily?

I had a needle biopsy for a lump in my right breast 3 weeks ago which luckily was benign. A week after the precedure the inscision area was hard from scarring.It also creates a dimple in my breast when I raise my arm. Because I scarred to easily, should I be worried about being prone to CC? I am scheduled to have BA in one week. Should I ask my PS to prescribe me Accolate or Singulair for prevention? Thank you for your responses.

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9 Doctor Answers | Asked by SH87 in CA

Doctor Answers (9)
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Skin scarring and CC

As far as I know, there are no published studies linking skin scarring and CC. This is, we think, because they are two different processes. One is edge-to-edge healing of the skin. The other is related to a foreign-body reaction caused by the implant or other inflammatory processes. You can have patients with beautiful scars but hard breasts. Or vice versa.

Scarring and capsular contracture breast implants

The hard scar you experienced after a needle biopsy likely has little to do with whether or not you are prone to the development of CC. All scars are firm and hard a week after needle biopsy. Discuss this with your plastic surgeon for a final recommendation.

Capsular contraction and scarring

Almost all scars are hard three weeks after a procedure. Poor scar quality does not make someone more prone to a capsular contraction that I know of.

External skin scarring independent of capsular contracture

SH87: You are "fortunate" that your needle biopsy occured prior to your BAM because you gained important information and avoided exposing your implant to a sharp object. The "dimpling" you described is probably related to the "trauma" of the needle biopsy and associated bleeding/bruising. It will undoubtedly resolve with time. I would advocate continuing breast self exam and choosing a dual plane (subpectoral) pocket for your implants. The... more

Lavinia Chong, MD

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Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.chongmd.com

Keloids & Capsular Contracture Not Related

There does not seem to be a direct relationship between forming bad cutaneous scars and the development of capsular contractures. I agree that meticulous technique is important in the prevention of capsular contracture. I also feel that there is less capsular contracture when implants are placed under the pectoralis muscle.

Encapsulation Risk?

Thank you for the question. The quality of scarring from your previous biopsy does not necessarily make you more prone to capsular contracture. If you wish to use one of the anti-inflammatories that you mentioned, discuss the pros and cons with your selected plastic surgeon to get his/her view. Best wishes with your upcoming surgery. Hopefully you will enjoy a complication free result for many years.

Causes of Hardening of Breast Implants- Capsular Contracture

There are several known causes of capsular contracture or hardening of the breast implants. Many surgeons feel that excess blood in the breast pocket can lead to increased scarring and thus capsular contracture. Usually, formation of skin scars or even keloids is not associated with formation of capsular contracture. Meticulous surgical technique is the best prevention for developing capsular contracture.

Scarring and Capsular Contracture

Hello SH87, You have not demonstrated a propensity to scar abnormally by the description of your breast biopsy incision. To answer your question however, in some individuals there may be a link between abnormal or hypertrophic scars and capsular contracture, but this has not been looked at in a scientific manner yet. Regardless, Accolate and Singulair have failed to reduce the incidence or effectively treat capsular contracture in well controlled, scientific studies. ... more

Breast Scarring and Capsular Contracture

I suspect that your biopsy produced some bleeding which created the hard area and dimpling. These will probably resolve over the next two to three weeks. I am not aware of any data that would indicate that you are at higher risk for capsular contracture based on the information that you provided.