LONG-TERM RESULTS OF INFLATABLE MAMMARY IMPLANTS

In this retrospective study, the long term results of 167 inflatable m ammary implants in 77 patients who underwent either breast reconstruct ion or augmentation between 1972 and 1990 were evaluated. All inflatab le implants were manufactured by Heyer-Schulte/Mentor company, and wer e equipped with a posterior leaf valve (style 1800). The mean follow-u p was 9 years (SD=4.3). Complete deflation was found in 23.9% of the i mplants (22.2% deflation rate from 1972 to 1984 and 25.5% from 1985 to 1992); The incidence of this complication was significantly higher in patients who underwent previous open (p=0.012) or closed (p=0.038) ca psulotomy. Severe contracture of the implant fibrous capsule (BAC 3 an d 4) was found in 37.6% of the patients. Its incidence increased signi ficantly when the postoperative blood loss (assessed by the volume of blood collected by suction drainage) exceeded 250 cc (p=0.025). Neithe r the site of the implant (submuscular/subglandular) nor the indicatio n for surgery (reconstruction/augmentation) influenced the rate of sev ere capsular contracture significantly in this retrospective study.