What deformity results from explantation and what are my options?
The deformity that may result from explantation is variable and involves several factors, including the size of the natural breast, the size of the implant, the number of previous implant procedures, the placement of above or below the chest wall muscles, the type of implant, the integrity of the implant, and if capsular contracture or migration of the implant has occurred. Of course the most profound deformities occur with removal of implants after mastectomies with implant breast reconstruction, but other reconstructive options such as TRAM flaps or other flap breast reconstruction are possible and will usually be covered by insurance. My experience is that more extensive deformities may occur in patients with multiple procedures where the majority of the breast tissue consists of scar tissue, patients with severe capsular contractions causing distortion of the skin envelope, and badly ruptured silicone implants with silicone infiltrating breast tissue and local muscles. The most dif
