If capsule is stuck to chest wall is it okay to leave part of it?

Question

I have two ruptured silicone implants - and one CC - one surgeon saying he would try to remove all intact - but won't know until he gets in there - not sure if he would use drains or not and if capsule was stuck to chest would remove as much as possible as not to cause damage - other dr will remove implants do capsule removal scrape etc Sounded so barbaric - have drains for sure -

George Bitar, MD · Answer

Capsulectomoes are not always necessary.  Sometimes they can be left in, removed in part or removed totally.  Trust your surgeon to make the best judgement during the surgery.

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello! It is definitely ok and routine to leave part of the capsule on the chest wall to avoid damage to the chest area. This will not create a problem. The surgery is not as barbaric as it might seem. All that is done is removal of the implants as well as the scar tissue around them, and then the incision is closed. You will probably feel better after the surgery is done.Good luck!

Jeffrey A. Sweat, MD · Answer

Depending on how thick the capsule is, it can sometimes be difficult to remove all of the capsule without causing excessive damage in the process which can require drains and can even injure the chest wall (the part of the capsule that is on the chest was is known as the posterior portion of the capsule).  There should not be a problem with leaving the posterior part of the capsule if it cannot easily and safely be removed and as long as the front and side parts of the capsule are removed (anterior and medial/lateral portions) you should have no problems.  Best of luck with your surgery!

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Sometimes the entire capsule can not be removed because of its tight adherence to the chest wall, or when the tissues are very thin.  Drains are sometimes used.

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Ruptured silicone breast implant needs to be removed enblock to minimize the contamination of the breast with silicone. This requires expertise, and experience. The incision is in the inframammary line, slightly larger than the original scar for breast augmentation. the use of Harmonic Scalpel will minimize the removal of breast tissue. (Expensive tool)If the implant is under the muscle, it is more technically challenging to remove the capsule off the chest wall (Possible pneumothorax).No body can give you guarantees , decisions are made in surgery based on findings. (Imaging is not always accurate). Then decision on what is needed to do after removal. muscle repair, re-implant, type of implant size, positionIn my practice many hours of discussions and decisions to be made.

If capsule is stuck to chest wall is it okay to leave part of it?

Answers (5)