An Elegant Method for Removing Breast Implants - a Novel Surgical Device

Abstract

Summary: The use of breast implants is consistently on the rise owing to increases in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. Implant rupture is a potential complication, the rate of which has increased over time. Therefore, implant removal or replacement is a common procedure, and needed for most breast implants at some point during the patient’s lifetime. Surgical removal of ruptured implants is messy, cumbersome, time-consuming, and, overall, unpleasant. The authors have developed a custom-made device that effectively removes a silicone implant, whether ruptured or intact. To determine its efficiency, the authors conducted a prospective clinical trial of 25 women (45 breasts) undergoing removal or replacement of breast implants with the device between January of 2019 and January of 2022. Device safety and efficiency were assessed, and the need for the device was evaluated through a survey among 25 board-certified plastic surgeons. The mean implant age was 12.8 years, and mean volume was 370 g. The mean time to extract the implant with the device was 10.7 seconds. Twenty-two implants (49%) were ruptured. There were no minor or major complications during the procedure or follow-up. The mean follow-up period was 6 months. Surgeons’ intention to use this device in their own practices for removal of intact and ruptured implants was very high. This novel device may prove indispensable for explantation of both intact and ruptured silicone implants. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Tissue engineering strategies for breast reconstruction: a literature review of current advances and future directions

“…Each of these techniques has advantages and downsides: Implant-based reconstruction following mastectomy is easy to perform, with moderate technicity (no fine dissection or microsurgery) and short operative time but is limited by the poor skin laxity and the long-term cosmetic outcomes due to capsule contracture ( 6 ). Moreover, multiple surgeries are needed due to the limited lifetime of current silicon implants ( 7 ). In contrast, autologous flaps provide a natural result that can be stable in time and avoid any foreign materials with all linked disadvantages ( 8 ).…”