Open AccessInfluence of patient age on capsular contracture after aesthetic breast augmentation
Author(s) -
Philip H. Zeplin,
Niamph Corduff
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
plastic surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2292-5511
pISSN - 2292-5503
DOI - 10.4172/plastic-surgery.1000915
Subject(s) - capsular contracture , medicine , breast augmentation , contracture , implant , muscle contracture , surgery , age groups , breast implant , retrospective cohort study , breast cancer , breast reconstruction , demography , cancer , sociology
The influence of age on capsular contracture rates remains unclear. Most studies have only investigated early capsule development and not whether a link between age at primary surgery and the later development of capsular fibrosis exists. To clarify whether patient age impacts the development of late capsular fibrosis, the authors conducted a retrospective case study involving 43 patients who presented for surgical revision of capsular contracture (Baker grade ≥III) between four and 40 years after primary breast augmentation. Possible correlations between age and implant placement were analyzed. Late presentation of capsular fibrosis occurred a mean of 15.6 years after primary augmentation, with a slightly negative, but not significant, correlation between age at primary operation and duration of implant placement. Patients <40 years of age underwent an operative revision after a mean of 18.9 years, while patients ≥40 years of age needed an operative revision a mean of 11.9 years after primary breast augmentation (P=0.0368). The results suggest that with advancing age, the average time to develop capsular fibrosis is significantly shorter in individuals who develop capsular contracture. As more data are collected, appropriate advice can be provided to patients regarding factors that influence the long-term outcomes of breast augmentation.