Background: Anatomical implants continue to be a particularly useful tool in breast surgery, offering an excellent result for certain indications. However, to ensure fixation and prevent rotation, traditional alternatives have medium to high surface roughness and have been controversial in recent years.
Methods: A retrospective assessment of 122 prosthetic augmentation and reconstruction patients over a period of 5 years was conducted. Patients were treated with tabbed anatomical implants with a smooth surface and followed up for a period of 12 months. Demographics, complications, and patient satisfaction were captured. A subgroup of 101 patients were assessed with chest radiographs at 1-year follow-up. Technical recommendations are discussed.
Results: Primary breast augmentation, revision augmentation, augmentation-mastopexy, and breast reconstruction were the main indications for surgery. All implants were inserted through an inframammary incision and placed in the subpectoral space using dual-plane techniques, except in one mastectomy case. Rotation of the implants was radiographically observed in only two cases of revision augmentation. None of the 122 patients developed capsular contracture, seroma, rupture, infection, hematoma, or malposition following breast surgery.
Conclusions: Smooth anatomical implants with a fixation system offer reliable and satisfactory results for patients with various diagnoses and indications. The tab system and the fixation technique are essential to provide long-term stability, which was verified by radiographs because of the radiopaque lines present in the device for that purpose.
Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.
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