Sun Jm

Management for Postoperative Complications of Breast Augmentation by Injected Polyacrylamide Hydrogel

Polyacrylamide hydrogel, a new biomaterial, has been used for injected breast augmentation in China since 1997. A series of 30 patients with various complications after injected polyacrylamide hydrogel visited the author’s department. Most of these patients had undergone injection of both breasts. The average age of the patients was 27.6 years, and the time of consultation for the complications was from 3 to 36 months postopertively. Nearly all the patients had breast lumps and other common complications including breast pain, disfigurement, and infection. Ultrasound examination showed diffuse, irregular, anechoic zones of mammary tissue. Pathologic results indicated inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrous capsular formation. An open suction technique and partial mastectomies via periareolar incisions were performed for the all patients. Most of their symptoms were relieved after removal of the polyacrylamide hydrogel. Only one patient had undergone immediate breast reconstruction with implants, whereas five patients had received breast implants secondarily via an axillary incision. The authors conclude that polyacrylamide hydrogel should be prohibited for injected breast augmentation before more scientific data are available about the long effect of the gel in breast tissue.

Reduction mammaplasty and correction of ptosis: Dermal bra technique

&NA; A new technique for reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy techniques is presented, which the authors call the dermal bra. The surgical steps are described point by point. A series of 36 patients underwent reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy by means of this technique front January of 1998 to April of 2001. Thirty‐two patients were followed; 28 presented satisfactory results, including a good mammary appearance, invisible scar, good and stable breast projection, and lasting results. Nipple‐areola complex sensitivity was unchanged in all 32 patients. The overall complication rate was 12.5 percent (one patient suffered purse‐string suture exposure, and three had a cutaneous rend). The advantages and disadvantages of this technique are discussed. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 111: 1122, 2003.)