Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

A Retrospective Analysis of 3,000 Primary Aesthetic Breast Augmentations: Postoperative Complications and Associated Factors

  • ORIGINAL ARTICLE
  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

A large retrospective analysis was performed on a homogeneous group of patients undergoing primary aesthetic breast augmentations to define complication rates and find associated factors.

Methods

Data were collected from the personal databases of two different surgeons working at the Crown House Hospital, Oldbury, Birmingham, United Kingdom. The period considered was January 1996 to December 2001. All patients who received primary breast augmentation with or without associated mastopexy for cosmetic purposes were recorded.

Results

A total of 3,002 women were included in the study. Hematomas were present in 46 patients (1.5%), infections in 33 patients (1.1%), breast asymmetries in 23 patients (0.8%), rippling in 21 patients (0.7%), and capsular contractures in 14 patients (0.5%). The multivariate analysis found that implant placement and the technique used for pocket creation were variables associated with complications (p < 0.05). Capsular contractures carried a progressive cumulative risk and, in our series, appeared 5 years after surgery. No association was found between contractures and hematomas or infections.

Conclusions

The overall incidence of complications in our series was relatively high (4.6%). Surgical placement of prostheses and the technique used for pocket creation were associated with complications. However, few patients required reoperation (1.6%), and the overall satisfaction rate was acceptable (visual analog score, 7).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Adams WP Jr, Rios JL, Smith SJ (2006) Enhancing patient outcomes in aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery using triple antibiotic breast irrigation: Six-year prospective clinical study. Plast Reconstr Surg 117:30–36

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Biggs TM, Cukier J, Worthing LF (1982) Augmentation mammaplasty: A review of 18 years. Plast Reconstr Surg 69:445–452

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Brickman M, Parsa NN, Parsa FD (2004) Late hematoma after breast implantation. Aesth Plast Surg 28:80–82

    Article  Google Scholar 

  4. Camirand A, Doucet J, Harris J (1999) Breast augmentation: Compression—a very important factor in preventing capsular contracture. Plast Reconstr Surg 104:529–538

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. De Cholnoky T (1970) Augmentation mammaplasty: Survey of complications in 10,941 patients by 265 surgeons. Plast Reconstr Surg 45:573–577

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dionyssopoulos A (2005) The nonperfect results of breast implants. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 50:534–543

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Handel N, Cordray T, Gutierrez J, et al. (2006) A long-term study of outcomes, complications, and patient satisfaction with breast implants. Plast Reconstr Surg 117:757–767

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Handel N, Jensen JA, Black Q, et al. (1995) The fate of breast implants: A critical analysis of complications and outcomes. Plast Reconstr Surg 96:1521–1533

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Handel N, Wellisch D, Silverstein MJ, et al. (1993) Knowledge, concern, and satisfaction among augmentation mammaplasty patients. Ann Plast Surg 30:13–20

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Henriksen TF, Fryzek JP, Holmich LR, et al. (2005) Surgical intervention and capsular contracture after breast augmentation: A prospective study of risk factors. Ann Plast Surg 54:343–351

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Henriksen TF, Holmich LR, Fryzek JP, et al. (2003) Incidence and severity of short-term complications after breast augmentation: Results from a nationwide breast implant registry. Ann Plast Surg 51:531–539

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Hudson DA (2004) Factors determining shape and symmetry in immediate breast reconstruction. Ann Plast Surg 52:15–21

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Lavine DM (1993) Saline inflatable prostheses: 14 years’ experience. Aesth Plast Surg 17:325–330

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Lemperle G, Exner K (1993) Effect of cortisone on capsular contracture in double-lumen breast implants: Ten years’ experience. Aesth Plast Surg 17:317–323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Mauro S, Eugenio F, Roberto B (2005) Late recurrent capsular hematoma after augmentation mammaplasty: Case report. Aesth Plast Surg 29:10–12

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Park AJ, Chetty U, Watson AC (1996) Patient satisfaction following insertion of silicone breast implants. Br J Plast Surg 49:515–518

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Pittet B, Montandon D, Pittet D (2005) Infection in breast implants. Lancet Infect Dis 5:94–106

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Rohrich RJ, Hartley W, Brown S (2003) Incidence of breast and chest wall asymmetry in breast augmentation: A retrospective analysis of 100 patients. Plast Reconstr Surg 111:1513–1519

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Veiga DF, Filho JV, Schnaider CS, et al. (2006) Late hematoma after aesthetic breast augmentation with textured silicone prosthesis: A case report. Plast Reconstr Surg 117:757–767

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Crown House Hospital, Oldburi, Birmingham, United Kingdom

    A. Araco, F. Araco & K. Walgenbach

  2. Department of General Surgery, University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Rome, Italy

    G. Gravante

  3. University “La Sapienza” of Rome, Rome, Italy

    D. Delogu

  4. Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Tor Vergata in Rome, Rome, Italy

    V. Cervelli

  5. via U. Maddalena 40/a, 00043, Roma, Ciampino, Italy

    G. Gravante

Authors
  1. A. Araco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. G. Gravante
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. F. Araco
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. D. Delogu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. V. Cervelli
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. K. Walgenbach
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to G. Gravante.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Araco, A., Gravante, G., Araco, F. et al. A Retrospective Analysis of 3,000 Primary Aesthetic Breast Augmentations: Postoperative Complications and Associated Factors. Aesth Plast Surg 31, 532–539 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-007-0162-8

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-007-0162-8

Keywords

Search

Navigation