Is every breast augmentation patient put on antibiotics after the procedure?

Question

Dallas Buchanan, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question. This is an important question to ask. I think the literature is solid on the fact that everyone should receive pre-op antibiotics before surgery. As for antibiotics after surgery, while it is not as supported by literature, some surgeons choose to go ahead and put patients on antibiotics and I do not think of this as "wrong" per se, but I do not think of it as required either.Hope this helps!

Austin Hayes, MD · Answer

It's a good question.Every surgeon has their own protocol after surgery. Most surgeons give IV antibiotics prior to surgery, and use antibiotic irrigation during the procedure. Patients do not require antibiotics after surgery, but some surgeons do prefer to give their patients a course of antibiotics.If you have a preference one way or the other, it's important that you discuss this with your surgeon.

Allen Gabriel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for your question.  Every patient will receive IV antibiotics right before surgery but not every patient is placed on antibiotics after surgery.  Every surgeon is different on the duration of antibiotics that are prescribed.

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

is the preference of your surgeon... and even if not what most people do, post-op antibiotics bring little risk.  I would consider it if you were MRSA positive and we were just trying to throw everything at it.

Andre Levesque, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.This is mostly surgeon dependent.  The scientific literature would suggest that only a preoperative dose of intravenous antibiotics is needed.  Many surgeons will also wash the implants and pocket with antibiotic solution prior to insertion and use insertion devices such as a Keller funnel (no financial interest in the device).  Infection after a primary breast augmentation is a rare event. The more common event that plastic surgeons are wanting to prevent is capsular contracture which current theories suggest could be related to subclinical bacterial colonization on the implant surface. Capsular contracture prevention would be the most common reason why a surgeon might give post operative antibiotics.  The choice would also be influenced by the incision placement as inframammary, periareolar, and axillary incisions have different rates of capsular contracture and infection.I would recommend seeking a board certified plastic surgeon and during the consultation ask why they give or do not give antibiotics.Best Dr. L

Is every breast augmentation patient put on antibiotics after the procedure?

Answers (5)