Postirradiation Capsular Contracture in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction: Management and Outcome

Background: implant-based breast reconstruction is commonly avoided in the setting of radiation therapy, mainly because of risks of capsular contracture. Nevertheless, as breast reconstruction is becoming more available, more patients undergo both implant basal breast reconstruction and radiotherapy. The dilemma is how to manage capsular contracture if it does occur. The goal of this study was to examine the outcome of patients with implant-based breast reconstruction who developed postirradiation capsular contracture and were treated with capsulotomy or capsulectomy, with or without fat grafting. Methods: The authors reviewed charts of patients who developed capsular contracture following alloplastic breast reconstruction followed by radiation therapy, between 2008 and 2018. The surgical treatment methods for capsular contracture were evaluated along with their outcomes. A follow-up of at least 1 year was required. Results: Forty-eightbreasts with postirradiation capsular contracture underwent surgical implant it exchange with capsular release, of which 15 had combined fat grafting and 33 did not. Overall, 35 breasts (72.9 percent) showed long-term resolution of capsular contracture; 24 underwent a single procedure and 11 required an additional fat grafting procedure. Some patients [six breasts (12.5 percent)] were offered a consecutive round of fat grafting, and some seven breasts (14.5 percent)] were offered autologous reconstruction because of lack of :improvement. tat grafting increased the success rate by more than 30 portent when it was initially and consecutively used. Conclusions: Postirradiation capsular contracture may he treated successfully by secondary procedures, sustaining implant-based breast reconstruction in over 70 percent of breasts. Fat grafting may elevate resolution rates even further, to 86 percent. Larger prospective studies are required to validate these findings.

Automated summary

Implant-based breast reconstruction following radiation therapy can result in capsular contracture, which may be successfully managed with secondary procedures including capsulotomy or capsulectomy. Fat grafting, when used initially and consecutively, can significantly increase the success rate of long-term resolution of capsular contracture to over 70 percent and potentially up to 86 percent. Larger prospective studies are needed to further validate these findings.