Capsular contracture after cosmetic breast implant surgery in Denmark

The authors investigated the association between the occurrence of capsular contracture and implant and patient characteristics. All women with breast implants from 1977 to 1997 were identified from the files of two private p lastic surgery clinics in Denmark. Information on implant and patient chara cteristics, surgical procedure, and complications was obtained through medi cal records and self-administered questionnaires. Of 754 women (1,572 impla nts), average age at implantation was 32 years. Implant types were silicone double lumen, textured, 31.2%; silicone single lumen, textured, 27.8%; sil icone single lumen, smooth, 24.5%; silicone double lumen, smooth, 0.8%; and other or missing, 15.7%. Placement was submuscular for more than 90% of im plants. Capsular contracture occurred in 7.9% of implanted breasts, on an a verage of 621 days postoperatively, with 51.6% being bilateral. Overall, 66 .1% of capsular contractures were recorded within the first 12 months posto peratively, and 79.0% were recorded within 24 months. Double-lumen implants were associated with a significantly (p < 0.01) reduced occurrence of caps ular contracture. In summary, capsular contracture typically occurs within the first 2 years of implantation. Host factors may be important because mo re than half the capsular contractures in the current study were bilateral. Occurrence of capsular contracture did not appear to be associated with im plant surface or placement, occurrence of local complications, or patient c haracteristics, although these findings should be interpreted cautiously.