Is it common practice to leave capsules when removing implants? My research has been inconclusive. Some say it’s paramount to demand removal and some say it’s okay to leave in place.
June 22, 2024
Answer: Capsule management If the capsule is thin and not contracted it's absolutely okay to leave it in place. A lot of the emphasis for "en bloc" capsulectomy come from breast implant illness pages. There isn't any conclusive scientific data to support this and it can have more risk involved and tissue removal - resulting in more volume loss and deformities. There was a recent consensus statement put out on the terminology and need for en bloc capsulectomy - it's really only indicated when there is a cancer involved - which is extremely rare. My logic is that the capsule is scar tissue and once the is removed it shrivels up and contracts quite a bit. Never goes away completely though. If we removed your body creates more scar tissue there. So you'll never not have any scar tissue related to the implant. Capsulectomy requires drains, is more painful and has higher risk of seromas after surgery. A simple implant removal can often be done under local anesthesia with a quick and easy recovery. Discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon and make sure you're doing what's necessary, not what blogs suggest.
Helpful
June 22, 2024
Answer: Capsule management If the capsule is thin and not contracted it's absolutely okay to leave it in place. A lot of the emphasis for "en bloc" capsulectomy come from breast implant illness pages. There isn't any conclusive scientific data to support this and it can have more risk involved and tissue removal - resulting in more volume loss and deformities. There was a recent consensus statement put out on the terminology and need for en bloc capsulectomy - it's really only indicated when there is a cancer involved - which is extremely rare. My logic is that the capsule is scar tissue and once the is removed it shrivels up and contracts quite a bit. Never goes away completely though. If we removed your body creates more scar tissue there. So you'll never not have any scar tissue related to the implant. Capsulectomy requires drains, is more painful and has higher risk of seromas after surgery. A simple implant removal can often be done under local anesthesia with a quick and easy recovery. Discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon and make sure you're doing what's necessary, not what blogs suggest.
Helpful
Answer: Implant explant capsule removal/leave Dear Optimistic166510, generally speaking, if you have capsular contracture or thick capsules, then they should be removed. Thin capsules can be left inside the breast. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations. Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Helpful
Answer: Implant explant capsule removal/leave Dear Optimistic166510, generally speaking, if you have capsular contracture or thick capsules, then they should be removed. Thin capsules can be left inside the breast. If you are considering surgery, I would suggest you consult a board-certified plastic surgeon. Only after a thorough examination, you will get more information and recommendations. Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Helpful
July 24, 2024
Answer: Is it okay to leave the capsule behind after explant? Thank you for asking. En bloc or 100% total capsulectomy is recommended. The capsule is which contains all of the gel bleed or silicone toxicity. Capsules should always be removed.
Helpful
July 24, 2024
Answer: Is it okay to leave the capsule behind after explant? Thank you for asking. En bloc or 100% total capsulectomy is recommended. The capsule is which contains all of the gel bleed or silicone toxicity. Capsules should always be removed.
Helpful
July 22, 2024
Answer: Leaving or removing capsule Capsulectomy is not done for each case. It can create more harm than good in most cases. Your surgeon has to have a good reason to do it such as a mass, or old silicone implant rupture, calcified capsule etc. Otherwise it is not harmful to leave it in.
Helpful
July 22, 2024
Answer: Leaving or removing capsule Capsulectomy is not done for each case. It can create more harm than good in most cases. Your surgeon has to have a good reason to do it such as a mass, or old silicone implant rupture, calcified capsule etc. Otherwise it is not harmful to leave it in.
Helpful
June 26, 2024
Answer: Implant explant capsule removal/leave Hello @Optimistic166510, thank you for your question. Yes, removing the capsules is key. I believe that every time an explant is performed, the capsule must be removed. Complete capsulectomy. Whether it is en bloc does not matter as long as the whole capsule is removed and the tissue is sent for pathology after taking the capsule out. This will prevent future inflammatory responses from the body because capsules do not get reabsorbed. Here is a video that sheds more light on the topic. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).
Helpful
June 26, 2024
Answer: Implant explant capsule removal/leave Hello @Optimistic166510, thank you for your question. Yes, removing the capsules is key. I believe that every time an explant is performed, the capsule must be removed. Complete capsulectomy. Whether it is en bloc does not matter as long as the whole capsule is removed and the tissue is sent for pathology after taking the capsule out. This will prevent future inflammatory responses from the body because capsules do not get reabsorbed. Here is a video that sheds more light on the topic. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP).
Helpful