Capsular Flaps for Correcting Implant Palpability in Secondary Augmentation Mammoplasty.

Yoo, Gyeol; Lee, Paik Kwon

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons 2009;36(6):767-772.
Published online November 1, 2009.

Capsular Flaps for Correcting Implant Palpability in Secondary Augmentation Mammoplasty.

Gyeol Yoo, Paik Kwon Lee

¹Department of Plastic Surgery, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
²Apgugeong Avenue Plastic Surgery Clinic, Seoul, Korea. prspklee@yahoo.com

Abstract

PURPOSE
Among reasons for reoperations in augmentation mammoplasty, palpable implant, due to thin skin is relatively common, but not easy to correct, especially if thin skin area is wide. The capsule around the implant is a physiologic response to foreign body, naturally formed, and suitable for use as a flap because of its high vascularity. Authors report that capsular flap is very effective and successful method for correction of implant palpability in secondary breast augmentation. METHODS: From September 2007 to September 2008, the capular flaps were performed on 5 patients having palpable and wrinkling breast implants due to very thin skin among the cases on whom secondary augmentation mammaplasty had been performed. After the capsular flap was elevated according to thin skin area, the capsular flap was turned down or over to cover the thin skin area and made the thin skin area thick.
RESULTS
Post-implant palpable breast wrinkling had been successfully corrected by capsular flaps and breast implants were not palpable any more during the follow-up period (average 9.2 months). All patients who suffered from deformed breast were satisfied.
CONCLUSION
Authors suggest that the capsular flap be a ideal, effective and useful method in management of implant palpability.

Keywords: Capsular flap; Implant palpability; Breast augmentation