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How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Augmentation?

asked 8 months ago by AElizabeth in Houston, TX
Latest answer by Jacob Freiman, MD
Question viewed 344 times
Tags: 3 months post-op, infection

I had breast augmentation on July 26th. My right side healed perfectly, while the left filled with fluid, which burst the sutures a week later. For the past 3 months, it has drained. My ps has gone in once, removed it and cleaned out the pocket. She also has had to go back and reclose the area, trimming the bad skin. The skin is thin, and muscle under is spongy. We are removing that implant tomorrow. How long should we leave it out, and are there any other things to watch for?

14 answers to How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Augmentation?

Removal of breast implant for infection

This is not a common problem. I'm sorry that you developed an infection. It does happen. For breast augmentation, I have only had to remove one implant in nine years of practice. I placed a new implant at three months without problem. This is more common with tissue expanders in breast reconstruction because the expanders are textured and the overlying tissue can be tenuous from an aggressive mastectomy. In this set of patients, waiting 4-6 months is common. It... more

J. Jason Wendel, MD
Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

Extrusion of an Implant

My experience in not vast in this department. In twenty years of private practice, I have only removed 3 infected implants following breast augmentation surgery. None of these patients had me as the original surgeon. Each and every time, I have felt that the augmented breast had too large an implant given the stature of the patient. If the skin becomes so thin that it appears translucent, the implant is PENDING extrusion. It is better to remove that implant... more

Jonathan Berman, MD
Palm Beach Plastic Surgeon

www.drberman.com

You are worried about infection after augmentation...

It is very unfortunate that you have to go through this but it is one of the known complications and could happen to anybody. I have not had to remove an implant for infection but I have dealt with many patients coming to my office after having breast augmentation in south America who have had infections. My treatment is removal of the implant, washing out the pocket, checking cultures, and antibiotics. I let the infection resolve and pocket close for 6 to 9 months.

Jacob Freiman, MD
Miami Beach Plastic Surgeon

When to Replace a Breast Implant After Removal

I'm sorry to hear about the troubles you're having with your breast implants. I agree with previous responses that at this point it seems appropriate to remove the implant. I generally wait three to six months before replacing an implant after removal because of infection. This gives adequate time to resolve the infection and tissues to heal. During this time, try to be patient and follow the advice of your plastic surgeon. The better healed and more... more

Jaime Perez MD
Tampa Plastic Surgeon

Removal is the answer for now in my opinion

Yes removal is the answer for now in my opinion.... wait at least 3 months. If the surgeon felt that the wound closure was tight, then it may be wise to switch out both implants for smaller ones, maintain symmetry, and to reduce the changes for extrusion... good luck

Alan Weiss, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Wait at least 6 months from the time infection has resolved

You need to take out the implant first and then wait until all signs of infection are gone and all your tissues have healed, and then wait at least 6 more months before attampting another surgery if your still up for it. Complicated and very rare issue.

Andre Aboolian, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Waiting for re-augmentation after implant infection

Hello, Sorry to hear about your experience. The answer about timing depends on each patient but it is usually 30-90 days for most surgeons. The bigger question is why did you get a seroma and infection and wound dehiscence (wound healing problem) in the first place. Answering this will help prevent the event from recurring. It will also be good to consider placing the implant in a fresh pocket as opposed to just entering and modifying the old pocket. Full... more

Remus Repta, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

www.aaaplasticsurgery.com

Breast Augmentation - How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Augmentation?

I am obviously very sorry that you're having this problem and, just as obviously, there is a limited amount of information that I can give via this forum. Being able to see and examine the patient, and know what she looked like before, the surgery that was done, etc., is paramount in working out a plan. That being said, there are some general principles, and it sounds like you're heading in the right direction. First of all, if there is an ongoing infection, the... more

Alan Engler, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Infection Around Breast Implant

It is very difficult to clear an infection as long as a foreign body such as a breast implant is present. After a trial of antibiotics, as your surgeon has provided,removal of your infected implant is indicated. Cultures are important to identify the organism for effective selection of antibiotic. Removal of the capsule would help eliminate any "biofilm" residual from bacteria. Occasionally the implant that appears uninvolved can be seeded with bacteria from the infected side so that both... more

Mary Lee Peters, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

How Would You Treat a Smoldering Infection That Continues 3 Mos After Breast Aug?Answer:

I agree that the implant really has to come out and you are doing the right thing…And it is very rare. I have had maybe 3 in 18 years. I would suggest a minimum of 3 months (longer if possible) and I think the suggestion of smaller implants is good too if possible. And in patients with very thin skin, I have had success with Strattice as a reinforcement as well but it is expensive.

John J. Corey, MD
Phoenix Plastic Surgeon

Infection post augmentation

I think your surgeon has done all they can, and now removal of the implant is the right thing to do. I would leave the implant out for at least 4 months.

Rick Rosen, MD
Norwalk Plastic Surgeon

Breast Implant Infections

Hello, All the antibiotics and surgical 'wash outs' in the world will never cure an implant infection. You are finally getting the treatment you deserve. Leave it out for 6 months minimum. Cultures should be performed, with identification of the organism and sensitivity to antibiotices determined. When it is determined that re-augmentation is advisable, you should have the appropriate peroperative antibiotics 24 hours prior to surgery... more

Gerald Minniti, MD, FACS
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Infection after breast

Removal of the implant is the right thing to do. I believe it should be out for 3-6 months before reimplantation. I would also recommend culture of the implant and fluids to insure the proper course of antibiotics. Donald R. Nunn MD Atlanta Plastic Surgeon.

Donald Nunn, MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Implant Removal Following Infection

An infection following a breast augmentation is a rare occurrence. It is very unfortunate that you had such a complication, however, your surgeon is doing the right thing. When an implant needs to be removed, allowing 4-6 months for adequate healing is an ideal choice before replacing the implant. A lot of the changes that you noted are due to the recent issues (possible infection, fluid collection causing inflammation and thinning of the tissue with 'spongy' feel..... more