Abstract
Background
Late seroma is a rare complication that may occur after a prosthetic breast augmentation. “Seroma” is a generic term used to indicate a serous clear fluid collection, which can develop in surgically dissected areas. A seroma can be defined as “late” if this complication occurs at least 4 months after surgery. Several possible etiologies have been proposed.
Methods
A 39-year-old old woman with breast implants presented with a huge enlargement of her right breast. Clinical and instrumental evaluation ruled out infection. The swelling was attributed to the presence of fluid adjacent to her implant and aspirated. Nonremission of the fluid collection after aspiration led the authors to surgical removal of the prosthesis, fluid drainage, and capsulectomy. The serous fluid and a portion of the removed capsule was subjected to chemical, cytologic, microbiologic, and anatomopathologic analysis.
Results
At the chemical evaluation, the sample of the seroma appeared to be an exudate. Cytologic examination of the fluid showed a large number of neutrophil cells but no malignant cells. Microbiologic evaluation and pathologic findings of the serum sample showed neither the presence of infection nor that of neoplastic infiltration. The postoperative period was uneventful, and the woman experienced no recurrence within 21 months after surgery.
Conclusion
This report describes a case of late-onset implant seroma associated with a postpartum breast pump. The authors believe this case could be useful in diagnosing this rare complication and understanding its management. It also may serve to make physicians and nurse practitioners aware of the need for prompt evaluation and treatment.
Level of Evidence V
This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
References
Bengtson B, Brody GS, Brown MH, Glicksman C, Hammond D, Kaplan H, Maxwell GP, Oefelein MG, Reisman NR, Spear SL, Jewell ML (2011) Managing late periprosthetic fluid collections (seroma) in patients with breast implants: a consensus panel recommendation and review of the literature. Plast Reconstr Surg 128:1–7
Cheng NX, Chen B, Li Q, Wu DH, Zhu L, Zhang XM, Chen YL (2011) Late haematoma and seroma in patients with silicone mammary prosthesis: our reports and literature review. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 64:185–186
Hall-Findlay EJ (2011) Breast implant complication review: double capsules and late seromas. Plast Reconstr Surg 127:56–66
Light RW, Macgregor MI, Luchsinger PC, Ball WC Jr (1972) Pleural effusions: the diagnostic separation of transudates and exudates. Ann Intern Med 77:507–513
Mazzocchi M, Dessy LA, Carlesimo B, Marchetti F, Scuderi N (2010) Late seroma formation after breast surgery with textured silicone implants: a problem worth bearing in mind. Plast Reconstr Surg 125:176–177
Mazzocchi M, Dessy LA, Corrias F, Scuderi N (2012) A clinical study of late seroma in breast implantation surgery. Aesthetic Plast Surg 36:97–104
Oliveira VM, Roveda Junior D, Lucas FB, Lucarelli AP, Martins MM, Rinaldi JF, Aoki T (2007) Late seroma after breast augmentation with silicone prostheses: a case report. Breast J 13:421–423
Roth FS, Gould DJ, Chike-Obi CJ, Bullocks JM (2012) Late seroma during pregnancy, a rare complication in prosthetic breast augmentation: case report. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 65:973–976
Spear SL, Murphy DK, Slicton A, Walker PS (2007) Inamed Silicone Breast Implant U.S. Study Group: inamed silicone breast implant core study results at 6 years. Plast Reconstr Surg 120:8S–16S
Wang BH, Chang BW, Sargeant R, Manson PN (1998) Late capsular hematoma after breast reconstruction with polyurethane-covered implants. Plast Reconstr Surg 102:450–452
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Meggiorini, M.L., Maruccia, M., Carella, S. et al. Late Massive Breast Implant Seroma in Postpartum. Aesth Plast Surg 37, 931–935 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0164-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-013-0164-7