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Breast Implant Infections After Surgical Reconstruction in Patients with Breast Cancer: Assessment of Risk Factors and Pathogens Over Extended Postoperative Observation

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Breast Reconstruction

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Abstract

Implant-based breast reconstruction is the most common surgical option after mastectomy for breast cancer and accounts for >70 % of breast reconstruction procedures performed in the United States.

Implant infection represents a relevant management problem for both the patient and the surgeon.

The authors discuss infection rates and definitions, timing of infection, factors affecting implant infection, diagnosis, pathogens, antibiotic prophylaxis, and treatment. Care is needed for implant follow up and identification of late infections which may represent up to one third of implant infections. Identification and early treatment of infection are mandatory in order to preserve the aesthetic results of reconstruction.

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Acknowledgements

The Authors are indebted to Dr. Marianna Pesce for collecting data and Dr. Susanna Polotto for providing help in preparing the article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. UOC Chirurgia Plastica e Ricostruttiva, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria San Martino-IST-Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Largo Rosanna Benzi, 10, Genoa, Italy

    Simonetta Franchelli M.D.

  2. UOS Infettivologia dell’Ospite Immunocompromesso, IRCCS San Martino-Ist, Largo Rosanna Benzi 10, Genoa, 16132, Italy

    Andrea De Maria M.D.

  3. Department of Health Sciences, University of Genova, Via Pastore 1, Genoa, 16132, Italy

    Andrea De Maria M.D.

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  1. Simonetta Franchelli M.D.
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  2. Andrea De Maria M.D.
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Correspondence to Simonetta Franchelli M.D. .

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  1. Tustin, California, USA

    Melvin A. Shiffman

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Franchelli, S., De Maria, A. (2016). Breast Implant Infections After Surgical Reconstruction in Patients with Breast Cancer: Assessment of Risk Factors and Pathogens Over Extended Postoperative Observation. In: Shiffman, M. (eds) Breast Reconstruction. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18726-6_128

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18726-6_128

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-18725-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-18726-6

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