I recently had a breast MRI that indicated I have an intracapsular rupture in both implants. My implants are silicone. In 2013 I had my saline implants removed and replaced with silicone through the same scar under my arm. My question is, can I have the ruptured silicone implants removed and replaced via the same scar (transaxillary incision)?
November 9, 2023
Answer: Transaxillary implant removal The transaxillary approach is not recommended for silicone implants. Access through this approach is usually quite limited, and, forcing the implant through a small opening, can cause fracturing of the cohesive silicone gel inside the implant. It’s not a good approach to remove ruptured, silicone, implant. Direct access with a inframammary incision, or possibly peri-areolar if women have large areolas is preferred. Bilateral silicone, implant rupture would be somewhat uncommon within the first 10 years. MRI is the most sensitive study, but is not 100% accurate regardless. Most plastic surgeons don’t rely on the trans axillary approach. To get a more accurate description of what’s possible or not possible you should discuss this with providers who use that approach more frequently. Having direct visualization of the implant pocket has a lot of advantages. Follow up with your plastic surgeon to see what they have to say or schedule a few in person second opinion consultations. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD
Helpful
November 9, 2023
Answer: Transaxillary implant removal The transaxillary approach is not recommended for silicone implants. Access through this approach is usually quite limited, and, forcing the implant through a small opening, can cause fracturing of the cohesive silicone gel inside the implant. It’s not a good approach to remove ruptured, silicone, implant. Direct access with a inframammary incision, or possibly peri-areolar if women have large areolas is preferred. Bilateral silicone, implant rupture would be somewhat uncommon within the first 10 years. MRI is the most sensitive study, but is not 100% accurate regardless. Most plastic surgeons don’t rely on the trans axillary approach. To get a more accurate description of what’s possible or not possible you should discuss this with providers who use that approach more frequently. Having direct visualization of the implant pocket has a lot of advantages. Follow up with your plastic surgeon to see what they have to say or schedule a few in person second opinion consultations. Best, Mats Hagstrom, MD
Helpful