Can Breast Implant Removal be Carried Out Under Twilight Sedation?

Hello! Thank you for your question! It is a matter of surgeon
preference as well as what is seen during your procedure that will
determine whether or not a complete capsulectomy is performed. If
significant capsule formation is seen intraoperatively, a full capsule
removal may be warranted with a drain in order to completely remove all
of the tissue and allow better adherence of your breast back to its
normal anatomic position down on your chest wall. If minimal contracture
is seen, it may be possible to leave the capsule, or place cuts within
the capsule to allow better adherence. It truly is dependent on what is
seen with your capsule and the issues that may be causing you to have
such a procedure (e.g., contracture from rutptured implant vs pain vs
simple pocket adjustment, etc).  Typically this is performed under general anesthesia, but may be able to be done with sedation, depending on your surgeon's comfort with this as well as your ability to withstand the procedure.  Without knowing your issues and
without an examination, it is difficult to tell you what may be the
best thing for you. I tend to favor performing capsulectomies (in an en bloc fashion) in order
to create a fresh pocket, reshape the pocket, allow better shape and
adherence of the overlying breast. I would discuss your issues with your
plastic surgeon who will assist you in determining the right modality
for you. Hope that this helps! Best wishes!

Simple Explantation or implant removal without capsulectomy can be performed in many cases under local anesthesia alone or with Twilight anesthesia especially for calm patients without significant medical problems.  Not all explants need drains. Many Plastic Surgeons use either an Office OR, free standing outpatient surgical suite or a hospital OR.

It is quite feasible to perform uncomplicated explantation under twilight sedation and local anesthesia.  You should also discuss with your surgeon the removal of the capsule around your implant.  Even if there was no issue with contracture, leaving the capsule in place could lead to fluid accumulation (seroma) down the line.  Dr. Marc DuPéré, Toronto.

If you had implants placed years ago and just want the saline implant removed, this can be performed under pure local anesthesia if you are tough.  One could take oral sedation ( a Valium) or get some intravenous sedation to take the edge off if you want.  Drains are usually not necessary.  Good Luck

Yes, if no capsule work is being done breast implants can be removed under sedation. Some patients choose to have them taken out with just local anesthesia. I never use drains for explants.

Thank you for the question.

If all that is being done is removal of the implants ( no capsule work)  then they may be safely and comfortably removed under local anesthesia for  a relatively calm patient. I generally individualize the type of anesthesia to be used based on the specific patient's  personality and  situation.

Best wishes.

Removal of saline implants can be done under twilight or even local anesthesia if necessary. A full capsulectomy and drains are not always necessary, but there is a higher risk of a seroma or fluid collection. A partial capsulectomy or even scoring of the capsule with compression can significantly lower this fluid collection risk.

Hello and thank you for the question. 

In uncomplicated cases as you are describing, breast implants may be removed under a local anesthetic and/or twilight, if that is preferred. Drains are typically not required in these cases. 

A retained capsule may lead to a seroma later on down the line. Hence, it should ideally be removed or plicated. I recommend making a consultation with a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon to discuss your case in detail.

Kindest Regards,

Glenn Vallecillos, M.D., F.A.C.S. 

Certainly implants if unc omplicated can be removed under sedation. I have even taken them out under straight local for some patients.

Yes, your implants can easily be removed under twilight anesthesia.  Drains should not be needed.  You should have this done in the usual operating suite - which could easily be an office-based facility.