Breastfeeding Outcome and Complications in Females With Breast Implants: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background Breast augmentation is a commonly performed cosmetic procedure. We set out to determine whether there is any effect on breastfeeding in women after breast implants. Objectives The aim of this study is to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the current evidence on breastfeeding outcome and complications in women with breast augmentation. Methods A systematic review was performed in MEDLINE (National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD), EMBASE (Elsevier, Amsterdam, the Netherlands), and all evidence-based medicine reviews from their respective inception dates to November 7th, 2022, to assess outcomes of breastfeeding in women with breast implants (PROSPERO ID: CRD42022357909). This review is in accordance with both the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Review of Interventions and reported in line with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Results Eleven studies (4 prospective and 7 retrospective) in total were included in the review. A total of 8197 out of 9965 (82.25%) patients were successfully able to breastfeed after breast implants. Of five studies that included a control group, 343,793 of 388,695 (88.45%) successfully breastfed. A meta-analysis of 5 comparative studies showed a significant reduction of breastfeeding in women with breast implants, n=393,686, pooled odds ratio = 0.45, 95% confidence interval [0.38,0.53]. Complications described included pain, mastitis, insufficient or excessive lactation, and nipple inversion. Conclusions There may be impairment in ability to breastfeed for women who receive breast implants compared to those without. Additional studies on the topic are needed to further clarify the relationship.