 |
Researchers
at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas have discovered that the
use of a combination of three antibacterial agents during surgery may reduce capsular
contracture, a common complication of saline breast
implants. Capsular contracture is a condition in which the scar around the
implant begins to tighten and squeezes down on the implant, causing the breast to feel
hard. According to the American Cancer Society, 93% of implant removals are the result of
capsular contracture.
In several laboratory experiments,
William Adams, Jr., MD, and his colleagues discovered that a combination of gentamicin,
cefazolin, and a 10% solution of povidone-iodine killed every bacteria type they tested.
In an ongoing clinical trial, 125 patients have been
treated with the antibacterial agents during breast implant surgery. To date, none of the
patients have developed capsular contracture, although the results of the trial will not
be definitive for another three to five years.
It is estimated that more than 132,000
women undergo breast augmentation surgery each year to increase their breast size. Another
28,000 women undergo breast reconstruction after mastectomy—the surgical removal of a cancerous
breast. Presently, most plastic surgeons clean the breast-implant pocket with a
variety of antibiotics before surgery to prevent infection. However, some antibiotic
agents may interfere with the healing process.
Though the results of the new
antibacterial combination will need to undergo several more clinical trials before its use
becomes standard practice, Dr. Adams and his colleagues recommend that surgeons
immediately begin using the agents during breast augmentation and reconstructive surgery
to prevent capsular contracture. Nearly 44,000 breast implants are removed each year due
to complications.
Besides causing pain and possible
breast disfigurement if untreated, capsular contracture may interfere with mammogram readings that screen for breast cancer in
asymptomatic women (women who have no signs of breast cancer). Presently, the most common
treatment for capsular contracture is additional surgery to remove the scar tissue. Breast
augmentation surgery or reconstruction do not increase a woman’s risk for breast
cancer or cancer recurrence (return). It is important for women with breast implants to
continue to receive yearly mammograms on both breasts. Women may wish to have mammograms
performed at facilities where radiologists are experienced in special techniques required
for imaging breasts with implants.
Additional Resources and
References
The January 20, 2000 Reuters Health
report, "Antibiotic Solution Fights Breast Implant Complication," is available
at http://news.excite.com/news/r/000120/16/health-rsa
To learn more about breast
reconstruction, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/reconstruction.asp
To learn more about breast implant
imaging, please visit http://www.imaginis.com/breasthealth/breastimplant1.asp
Return to Breast
Health Main Menu |
