The Scar Tissue Pocket Around my Implant Has Ruptured. How Can This Be Repaired?

Question

I had implants inserted 1 year ago and have had no issues what so ever. I woke up with pain in my right breast and realized that something was wrong. It feels as if the implant is now laying right next to my skin and feels totally different than my other implant. I have made an appt with my plastic surgeon but am wondering what they will do if the scar tissue pocket has ruptured.

Richard H. Tholen, MD, FACS · Answer

Your description does indeed sound as if you may have suffered "traumatic capsulotomy" and may require surgical repair of the ruptured capsule.

	Every patient with breast implants has a scar (capsule) that forms around her implants. If it is soft, thin, pliable, and larger than the implant itself, there is softness and natural movement and "feel" of the breasts. If the scar capsule is thick, tight, or unyielding, the breast(s) can feel hard. In no case does the implant ever get hard. And with the most recent generation of cohesive silicone gel implants, a blow, injury, or trauma to the chest could be so severe that the implant might "rupture" by breaking into two or more pieces (like servings of Jello), but present implants cannot "leak." It's interesting that you aren't concerned about implant rupture, as this is most patients' concern whenever they have had a trauma to the breast area--though the implants are almost universally fine, and the damage is to the capsule, as you have correctly surmised.

	Older silicone implants (15 years or so older than present) were not cohesive, and could leak if punctured or ruptured. Capsular contracture (CC) back then was much more common, and was often treated by squeezing the capsular-contracted breast from the outside (closed capsulotomy), which was designed to intentionally rupture the capsule, enlarging it so that softness would be restored. However, this often damaged these old implants, or caused the capsular tissues to bleed, inducing recurrent and often worse capsular contracture. Plastic surgeons have abandoned closed capsulotomy because of these problems, but also because we are much more knowledgeable about the causes of capsular contracture (predominantly surgical bleeding or bacterial contamination causing biofilm), and are able to avoid CC by careful and precise surgery and bacteria-reducing steps such as Betadine or Adams formula antibiotic irrigation and use of no-touch technique via the Keller Funnel. Better implants, better surgery, better results, fewer capsular contractures!

	But back to your "wondering . . . if the scar tissue pocket has ruptured." It certainly sounds as if this might have occurred, with the breast feeling so much different compared to the opposite side. I wonder what might have been so vigorous a force or trauma to your breast capsule that could cause this. The force to rupture a fully-healed (surgery 1 year ago) capsule (even a thin, soft one) is not insignificant, and this didn't just happen during your sleep without your awareness. You didn't just "wake up" with the pain and distortion you describe.

	Something major happened; please be honest with your surgeon since this is something that is not the fault of the surgeon, the operation you received, or "sleeping on your belly."

	I raise this because I am concerned that you need to be OK and in a safe environment and that you don't have other injuries or concerns.

	Yes, you will need additional plastic surgery, but please ensure that you are not in a situation where this severity of  trauma to your breast might happen again! Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

It is impossible to tell from your description what is going on. Scar tissue does not usually tear unless there is real trauma to the breast. It doesn't sound like that has happened. If your implants are saline, than maybe one has simply deflated. That would be unexpectedly early but it is possible. Contact your Plastic surgeon.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I'm sorry to hear about the painful  experience you've had recently.

	You are doing the right thing by following up with your plastic surgeon; direct examination will be necessary to provide you with an  accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations. If you are experiencing an  implant displacement secondary to a “ruptured” breast implant capsule,  repair of this capsule  may be necessary ( capsulorraphy).  This repair is done with internal sutures  and will serve to improve the positioning of the breast implant involved.

	Hope this helps.

Remus Repta, MD · Answer

Hello,
Thank for the question.  If your capsule for some reason has split it will reform.  It seems unlikely, however, that the capsule itself would be the main issue.  Your plastic surgeon may be able to diagnose the issue better after an examination.
All the best,
Dr Remus Repta

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Without an exam, it is difficult to say what may or may not need to be done.  An implant capsule does not rupture per se without trauma to the chest.

The Scar Tissue Pocket Around my Implant Has Ruptured. How Can This Be Repaired?

Answers (6)

Answer: Capsule always reforms

Answer: Capsule always reforms

Answer: Implant issues

Answer: Implant issues

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

The Scar Tissue Pocket Around my Implant Has Ruptured. How Can This Be Repaired?

Answers (6)

Answer: Capsule always reforms

Answer: Capsule always reforms

Answer: Implant issues

Answer: Implant issues

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.