Nowadays breast augmentation is a routine procedure. However, as with any surgical procedure, some risks and complications cannot be completely excluded. In general, a distinction is made between two different types of risks: Postoperative complications are again divided into early complications, late complications and aesthetic problems. – Risks for complications that occur during breast surgery (intraoperative)
- Risks for complications that only occur after the operation (postoperative)
Intraoperative risks
Breast augmentation is usually performed under general anesthesia, which is why the usual anesthesia risks must be expected in the first instance, which the anesthesiologist will explain in a prior consultation. Since breast augmentation is only performed on patients with a stable general condition and the duration of the operation is relatively short, this risk of complications is very low. During breast augmentation there is always the risk of damaging surrounding structures (e.g. sensitive nerve fibres). The most common intraoperative risk during breast augmentation is injury to the pectoral muscle, which occasionally occurs when positioning the breast implant.
Postoperative early complications
In the early phase after the operation, there is a particular risk of postoperative bleeding and the formation of haematomas. Furthermore, as after any surgical procedure, wound infections can occur. The wound infection can be superficial, which then appears as reddening over the wound. If the wound infection is superficial, the dressing should be changed frequently and under certain circumstances antibiotics should be administered to avoid (prophylaxis) a deep wound infection. In rare cases a deep wound infection with abscess formation may also occur, which may require removal of the implants.
Postoperative late complications
The most important and most frequent complication of breast enlargement is capsular fibrosis. Studies have shown that 90% of capsular fibrosis occurs within the first year after surgery. In capsule fibrosis, the body forms a connective tissue shell (capsule) around the implant as a foreign body reaction, regardless of the type of implant. This capsule can harden, which in turn can lead to implant deformation and may require surgery to loosen the capsule or even remove the implants. Although today’s breast implants can withstand extreme stress, there is always a certain risk that the implants will be damaged by major external influences (e.g. in a car accident) and require a new surgical procedure.
Aesthetic problems
After breast augmentation there is always the risk of wound healing disorders. The risk of the sutures coming loose (suture dehiscence) is particularly high in women who have large implants in relation to their breast volume. Despite wound plasters and pressure bandages, suture dehiscence can leave a conspicuous scar.
Permanent tension or pressure can also lead to stretch marks on the chest. In addition to the risks of breast augmentation, the various forms of dislocation and deformation of the implants must also be mentioned. The breast implants can rotate over time or move, for example, longitudinally or transversely.
After breast augmentation, implants are often folded (rippling). This means that there is a wrinkling of the breast implants, which is both visible and palpable. The so-called waterfall deformity occurs mainly in patients with sagging skin.
In this case, the implant is correctly positioned, but the tissue moves downwards over the implant, so that two arches appear in the profile. The double bubble phenomenon also causes a double contour on the breast after the operation. In contrast to the waterfall deformation, however, the second arc here lies between the nipple and underbust crease, instead of above the nipple.
In addition, the bottoming-out must be mentioned as a risk of breast enlargement. The breast implants sag downwards, so that the nipples are raised. This occurs especially in patients with small breast tissue.
In general it can be said that these deformations and dislocations of the implants are not dangerous, but they significantly reduce the aesthetic result of the procedure. You can find an overview of all gynaecology topics under: Gynaecology A-ZGynaecology A-Z. – Breast Cancer
- Mastitis
- Breast augmentation with own fat
- Breast augmentation risks
- Breast augmentation implants
- Breast reduction
