Will 1-stage implant salvage after periprosthetic breast infection ever be routine? A 6-year successful experience

Background: Concomitant with the recent increase in breast augmentations has been an increase in periprosthetic infections necessitating further surgery. The conventional treatment of periprosthetic infections has been a multistage procedure involving explantation, control of infection, and reimplantation.

Objectives: The authors describe a 1-stage salvage procedure for the management of periprosthetic infections. This technique may become the standard for managing infection following cosmetic breast surgery.

Methods: The authors performed a retrospective review of all patients who had periprosthetic infection following cosmetic breast augmentation. The treatment included explantation, sequential cleaning of the wound, and immediate insertion of a new prosthesis and drain. All patients received intravenous antibiotics postoperatively. Of 3012 patients undergoing primary breast augmentation, periprosthetic infection developed in 17 patients. These 17 patients underwent 1-stage implant salvage. Patients were monitored for ≤6 years.

Results: All implants were retained; aesthetic results were satisfactory; and no significant adverse events were recorded after implant salvage.

Conclusions: One-stage implant salvage for periprosthetic infection has similar outcomes to conventional multistage procedures and may be preferred by patients.

Level of evidence: 4.