Background: Capsular contracture (CC) remains the most common complication of implant-based aesthetic and reconstructive breast surgery. With subclinical infection proven to be the primary etiology, antimicrobial breast pocket irrigation has been recommended as the key step to reduce CC but has not been universally adopted.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to review the rates of CC observed when applying proven antimicrobial breast pocket irrigations.
Methods: Data from patients undergoing cosmetic breast augmentation were recorded prospectively from 1997 to 2017. The irrigation was performed with either a Betadine-containing (50% Betadine or "Betadine triple") or a non-Betadine triple antibiotic regimen. The database was assessed to determine the type of implant used, the incidence of CC, and possible contributing factors. The degree of CC was recorded according to the Baker classification.
Results: A 20-year prospective data collection yielded 2088 patients with 4176 implants; of these patients, 826 had textured implants and 1262 had smooth implants. The incidence of Grade III/IV CC was found to be 0.57% in all patients undergoing primary breast augmentation (1.21% in textured implants and 0.16% in smooth implants).
Conclusions: This study constitutes the largest and longest review of CC in a controlled, single-surgeon setting. The incidence of CC is low and reinforces the efficacy/utility of antimicrobial breast pocket irrigation. Both the Betadine and non-Betadine antibiotic regimens were found to be effective, with the Betadine regimen being preferred. Universal adoption of Betadine-containing antimicrobial breast pocket irrigation is recommended to reduce CC and other device-associated infections.
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