With infection like mine (staph) when it clears up will it be okay to keep my implants in or have to get them removed? (Photo)

Question

I'm on vanco with IV pic-line I'm needing to stay on in for two weeks.

Joseph M. Perlman, MD · Answer

I have tried to salvage implants that have gotten infected. It's a difficult problem because the infection is very hard to resolve. In most instances, the implants have to be removed and the breasts allowed to "cool down" for three months before putting in new implants. I've had some cases where the patient had some drainage from the incision but the culture was negative and I washed the implants and cleaned out the pocket with antibiotic solution and replace the implants but that is the exception and not the rule. Speak with your plastic surgeon about what he feels is the best course for you

Bruce K. Smith, MD · Answer

Infection is a very inconvenient but thankfully rare event after breast implants. In my experience it is very difficult to maintain or "salvage" an implant that has become significantly infected. Minor subcutaneous infections that do not involve the capsule of the implant or minor degrees of early exposure of the implant can be treated if they are recognized and treated quickly and the implants can be salvaged. With most infections however, especially with resistant Staph. (MRSA), the implant needs to come out. While it may appear the infection is under control while on IV Vancomycin, it is very difficult to completely clear up infection in the presence of a foreign body (implant) without taking the implant out. Good luck to you.

R. Scott Yarish, MD · Answer

This is a tough problem.  Until a few years ago, the only treatment was to remove the implant and wait 3-4 months to replace it.  More recently however, I have seen patients who were able to be treated simply with antibiotics and ultimately heal just fine.  Some of those still require a second procedure to remove scar tissue (capsular contracture) that forms during the infection.  Fortunately, this is a very rare occurrence in breast implant surgery.  I'm sorry you had to be "the one".

With infection like mine (staph) when it clears up will it be okay to keep my implants in or have to get them removed? (Photo)

Answers (3)

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