Thanks to Gina for sending us the following article...Myrl
Infection in Breast Implants: Study
Breast augmentation is the third most frequent type of plastic surgery
in North America after nose reshaping and liposuction.
http://www.toronto.fa****on-monitor.com/news.php/health/2005021508breast_implants
Breast augmentation is the most frequent type of plastic surgery done
in the UK and-after nose reshaping and liposuction-it is the third
most common cosmetic procedure in the USA. However, infection
complicates 2-2,5% of breast implantations, and is the leading cause
of illness following such surgery. The comprehensive review in The
Lancet Infectious Diseases of infection of breast implants is
particularly timely in light of the recent call for tighter regulation
of the private cosmetic surgery industry in the UK.
Professor Brigitte Pittet (Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit,
University of Geneva Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland) and colleagues
provide a fascinating journey through the history of breast implants
and review the myriad risk factors for breast implant infections,
before discussing clinical features such as toxic shock syndrome and
late infection occurring months-or even years - after implantation.
Diagnostic and management strategies are proposed for such problems.
In addition, they discuss the idea that capsular contraction-the
leading long-term complication that follows breast implantation,
involving the formation and contraction of a collagenous sheath around
the implant, thus forming hard, spherical m***** in the breasts- may
be caused by subclinical infection, and could be prevented by
antibiotics.
Brigitte Pittet comments: "Patients should be aware that, similar to
other invasive procedures involving the implantation of foreign
material, breast implants may lead to potential complications such as
infection or capsular contracture. In good hands, however, infection
remains infrequent."
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