Explant with capsule left: How long is there a risk for fluid build up? Drs. that leave their patients in, do you see often?

Thank you for sharing your excellent question.  Though fluid accumulation is not common its greatest chance of occuring is in the first two weeks after surgery.  Typically the fluid can be removed with a Synge and needle but rarely a drain placement is required.  Hope this helps.

A capsule is connective tissue that forms around any foreign material in the body, whether a breast implant or a pacemaker. When an implant is removed, the capsule can be removed or left in place. Fluid collecting in the space which had been occupied by the implant can occur whether the capsule is removed or not. Drains are usually placed during surgery to lower that risk. I usually try to remove the capsule with implant removal, as long as removal doesn’t cause damage to the surroundings tissues. Fluid collection requiring treatment occurs  around 5% of the time after implant removal and can happen any time from days to a few weeks after surgery. The Treatment is usually placing a needle into the space and drawing off the fluid. Rarely would this require returning to the operating room. Your surgeon should discuss the advantages and risks of removing the capsule at the time of implant removal so you can make an informed decision.