Capsular Contracture II

Stage II capsular contracture describes a breast implant which is firm to touch without any visible abnormalities. Stage II capsular contracture can occur anytime after your breast implant surgery. You may experience a firm breast implant from one week to a few decades after breast augmentation surgery. The key distinction from other Stages of capsular contracture is the lack of any visible changes in the breast implant. The implant essentially looks normal and soft while it actually feels hard to touch. The next distinction is the absence of pain in Stage II capsular contracture versus in more advanced stages.

Patients and surgeons have some work to do if patients are diagnosed with Stage II capsular contracture or a tight breast implant. Prevention is still important in Stage II implant tightening in order to minimize progression of the capsular contracture. Make an appointment to visit your plastic and reconstructive surgeon as soon as you feel any change in your breast implant. It is unknown exactly what factors contribute to the progression of capsular contracture. Continue massaging your breast implants to minimize the progression of the capsular contracture.

Following patients' breast augmentation surgery, regular follow-ups by plastic and reconstructive surgeons are paramount in minimizing complications. It is of utmost importance to be able to stop a problem at its early stages. Examination on the day after breast augmentation surgery, another examination one week after surgery, followed by another follow-up three weeks after surgery is recommended. These early visits serve to minimize the risks of early complications from breast augmentation surgery. Capsular contracture may begin anytime after breast augmentation: from a couple of weeks to decades after breast augmentation. The intervals between plastic surgery office visits essentially double until patients reach the one year mark after the surgery. The late follow-up appointments are to diagnose late complications after breast augmentation surgery. After the first post-operative year, patients should continue annual breast examinations by a plastic and reconstructive surgeon to evaluate patients' breasts for any masses, implant rupture, or capsular contracture. If patients are over forty, an annual mammogram is currently recommended to evaluate for breast cancer.

Implant rupture is one of the causes for implant capsular contracture. Other causes for the onset of capsular remain generally unknown. You should have an examination by your plastic and reconstructive surgeon once you notice a firm breast implant. Your plastic and reconstructive surgeon may order an MRI to identify the source for the capsular contracture. If no implant rupture is present, off-label use of Accolate or Singulair medications has been shown to soften the implants in certain women. “Off-label" use indicates that these medications have not been approved by the FDA for use in treating tight breast implant capsules. Accolate and Singulair are called leutotriene receptor antagonists used to prevent asthma symptoms. They work by blocking the action of natural chemicals in our body which signal inflammation and swelling. It is believed that the same mechanism which leads to tightening of airways in asthmatics results in tightening of breast implant pockets. Singulair has the advantage of being a once a day medication versus Accolate which is taken twice a day. If your plastic and reconstructive surgeon feels it is indicated, off-label trial of one or two months of Accolate or Singulair can be taken before contemplating surgery. If the implant softens with the medications, no further treatment is necessary.

Conservative management or surgery are options if the implant does not soften with off-label medications. Termed “capsulectomy," surgery entails excising the tight scar tissue around the implant with or without replacement of the implant. If the implant was originally placed through a scar around the areola or beneath the breast, the same incisions can be used to remove the scar tissue. If incisions at the underarms or the bellybutton were used to insert the implants, then a new incision at the breast is typically necessary to remove the scar tissue around the breast. An episode of capsular contracture indicates a propensity for future repeat episodes, particularly in patients who experience capsular contracture within the first six months of breast augmentation. To minimize the risk for repeat capsular contracture, factors contributing to tight scar formation around breast implants must be minimized. Breast implant replacement with a smaller breast implant is generally recommended if the original breast implants are excessively large for the breast pocket. Breast implants originally placed over the pectoralis muscle must be converted to under the muscle. A no-touch technique during surgery is important along with antibiotic irrigation of the implant pocket.

In those wishing to continue monitoring the implants without any surgery, an MRI is indicated to evaluate for implant rupture. If implant rupture is not noted on examination or MRI, regular follow-up examination with your plastic and reconstructive surgeon every six months is recommended to follow the progression of your capsular contracture. If implant rupture is suspected on physical examination or MRI, then a capsulectomy and implant removal or replacement are recommended.

Stage II capsular contracture is a medical indication for implant removal or exchange. Health insurance companies will generally cover the surgeon's fees as well as surgery center fees for capsulectomy and removal of the breast implant. Replacement of the breast implants is typically not covered by health insurance companies in cosmetic breast augmentation cases. Breast implants used in breast reconstruction are always covered by health insurance. Keep in mind that most plastic and reconstructive surgeons are NOT contracted health insurance providers. Fees for capsulectomy, implant removal, and potential replacement vary among plastic and reconstructive surgeons and geographic areas. Copays may therefore apply for the procedures. The plastic and reconstructive surgeon can write a letter addressed to a patient's insurance company to request pre-authorization for capsulectomy and breast implant removal surgery. Pre-authorization will improve the chances for insurance company reimbursement.