Do Implants Complicate Breast Biopsy Surgery?

Breast implants can make having a breast biopsy more complicated. However, careful and expert approaches rarely result in any damage to the implants. Most experience general surgeons and radiologists involved with these procedures are very familiar with managing patients with implants. Correspondence between the PS and the biopsy surgeon is usually all that is needed. You should not let your fear of having damage to your implants get in the way of a diagnostic test.

Good luck

Dr. Mosher

 

In general, if the implant is placed behind the muscle, the biopsy will be easier to perform since the chest muscle will protect most of the implant.  However, each case is individual.

Please make sure if a needle biopsy is planned, you choose a radiology center which has experience working with patients with breast implants.

There is a risk that breast implants may rupture during a breast biopsy, but their actual presence should not make  the biopsy more difficult.  It is important for your surgeon to be aware of the presence of the implants and to take precautions to avoid rupturing them.  Antibiotics should also be prescribed after the surgery to protect the implants from getting infected.  Although these complications can happen, they are not common.  But to be safe, a plastic surgeon should be consulted and be on standby for these possibilities.  

Breast implants should not have a concerning impact on performing open biopsies, providing/preferably, if they are perfoemed by a competent plastic surgeon. Of course a lot of factors should be considered. The location of suspicious area for biobsy, its location related to the implant, whether implants are above ot below the muscles are few of them . Streotactic/needle biopsies need more experties, since there are performed when patients are resting on their bellies. Ask your surgeon/radiologist if they they ever have punctuerd any implants. Then you can porceed with peace of mind. You do not need to give up your implants    

The implants do not complicate the surgery but the surgery does put the implant at a risk of rupture.  Good luck.