Capsular contracture is corrected by conversion to 'dual-plane' positioning.

2003 OCT 2 - (NewsRx.com & NewsRx.net) -- Capsular contracture is corrected by conversion to 'dual-plane' positioning.

"Little has been published regarding the treatment of patients with long-established capsular contracture after previous submuscular or subglandular breast augmentation," scientists in the United States report.

"This study reviews 7 years of experience in treating established capsular contracture after augmentation mammoplasty by relocating implants to the 'dual-plane' or partly subpectoral position. A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who were treated for capsular contracture using this technique between 1993 and 1999," wrote S.L. Spear and colleagues, Georgetown University Medical Center.

"Data collected included the date of the original augmentation, the original implant location, date of revision and type of implant used, length of follow-up, outcome, and any ensuing complications," the researchers stated.

"Different surgical techniques were used, depending on whether the prior implant was located in a subglandular or submuscular plane. All patients had revisions such that their implants were relocated to a dual plane, with the superior two-thirds or so of the implant located beneath the pectoralis major muscle and the inferior one-third located subglandularly," the researchers wrote.

"Of 85 patients reviewed, 54 had their original implants in a submuscular position and 31 had their initial augmentation in a subglandular position. Of the 54 patients whose implants were initially submuscular, 23 patients (43%) had silicone gel implants, 15 patients (28%) had double-lumen implants, and the remaining 16 patients (30%) had saline implants," the researchers stated.

"Of the 31 patients whose implants were initially subglandular, 20 patients (65%) had silicone gel implants, three patients (10%) had double-lumen implants, and the remaining ...