Do the use of drains help with capsular contracture?

I dont know of any studies that show that drain use in primary breast augmentation reduces the incidence of capsular contracture. Breast augmentation should be a very clean and dry procedure so use if drains is really not warranted.In patients with capsular contracture i routinely use drains after capsulectomy. These cases generally cause fluid leakage (not blood) and the drains aid in removal of this fluid.

Thank you for your important question.  Statistically the use of a drain after breast augmentation increases the chance of capsular contracture.However excessive bleeding also increases the chance of capsular contracture  and if there is excessive bleeding the benefit of a drain to remove the blood in my opinion outweighs the risk of a drain alone.

Hi Lizzylabs.  Drains generally are only necessary if the collection of fluid (serum or blood) is expected or a space needs to be collapsed together with suction, etc.  Neither is generally a problem with routine augmentation.  You are correct that the persistence of excessive blood around an implant may generate inflammation, but this won't necessarily translate into contracture as it takes several weeks for a capsule to form.  Having a drain exiting the skin is always a potential source of introducing bacteria into the breast and its other risks of use have to be weighed against the benefits by your PS. There are many more associations with contracture, such as smoking, autoimmune disorders, poor blood supply, prior contracture, etc. that you should discuss with your PS as well.  Best wishes,