Can I get a breast implant revision surgery if I have a vp shunt?

Question

I am a 45 year old women. I had a breast augmentation 18 years ago and would like to have a revision to exchange my saline implants for silicone. 5 years ago, I had to get a vp shunt due to developing hydreocephalus after removal of a pineal cyst. I have been asymptomatic ever since with the exception of the random headache. My question is, would it be possible to get this revision surgery with my shunt? I really appreciate your insight and your time! Thank you so much!

Laura Roider, MD · Answer

Yes, it is possible to have elective surgery after having a VP shunt. You will likely need clearance from your neurology/neurosurgery team and will need to have surgery in a hospital as opposed to an outpatient surgery center

Emre Guvercin, MD, FEBOPRAS · Answer

In most cases, having a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt does not automatically prevent you from undergoing breast implant revision surgery, but it does require careful coordination and planning. A VP shunt typically runs from the brain down through the neck and into the abdominal cavity, so the main considerations are the shunt’s pathway, infection risk, and ensuring no mechanical interference with surgical positioning or instrumentation. Breast implant exchange is performed in the chest and does not involve the abdominal cavity, so the distal portion of the shunt in the peritoneum is not directly affected. However, because any surgery carries a small infection risk&mdash;and shunt infections can be serious&mdash;it is essential that your neurosurgeon is consulted preoperatively to confirm shunt stability and provide clearance. Prophylactic antibiotics and meticulous sterile technique are particularly important. If you have been neurologically stable for five years with only occasional headaches and no shunt complications, many plastic surgeons would consider revision surgery feasible once neurosurgical clearance is obtained. The key is multidisciplinary coordination to ensure both your shunt function and surgical safety are protected.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Kimmy2113,

it is hard to tell for sure without an examination. You will need to get a clearance prior to surgery. 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, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Can I get a breast implant revision surgery if I have a vp shunt?

Answers (3)

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