Breast silicone explant: a multicenter longitudinal study

Abstract

Introduction: Following silicone breast implant placement, some patients present symptoms described as breast implant illness and seek explant surgery. This study aims to analyze the historical symptoms and ascertain breast explant patients’ impressions at three different times: before breast implant placement while having the implants, and after the explant surgery. Methods: This survey was designed as a multicenter longitudinal observational study using an online voluntary participation questionnaire sent by e-mail. Results: 156 patients were analyzed, 84% had three or more symptoms, and 66.1% improved their symptoms after the explant (p<0.001). Before the placement of silicone, the median self-body satisfaction was 7, while with the implants, the median became 9, and after the explant surgery, the median remained up to 9 (p<0.001). Support groups on social networks helped in the decision to explant in 87.2% of the patients. Conclusion: Patients presenting symptoms after silicone placement show improvement with breast implant removal. Body self-satisfaction increases with the placement of breast implants and remains increased after their removal. Patients who undergo the explant surgery usually regret having implanted silicone; they are very satisfied with the decision to remove them and equally satisfied with the result of the breast explant surgery. Support groups on social networks were important in the decision-making of these patients.

Keywords

• silicone gels
• breast implants
• silicone elastomers
• reconstructive surgical procedures
• breast