Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(21), 6545. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13216545 Dr. Tonatiuh Flores et al.
Points
- Only 15.46% of breast implant patients adhered to the recommended annual check-ups, with the majority seeking care only for acute symptoms like pain or aesthetic concerns.
- Most implant ruptures (73.8%) were diagnosed in symptomatic patients after an average of 17.36 years, while 26.2% of “silent” ruptures were detected during routine check-ups after an average of 15.44 years.
- Regular examinations helped uncover asymptomatic implant ruptures, demonstrating the value of periodic monitoring for early detection of complications.
- Early detection through routine imaging can prevent severe complications, such as Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), and reduce the need for invasive interventions.
- The findings advocate for strict adherence to annual breast implant monitoring to enhance long-term outcomes and minimize the risk of complications.
Summary
A recent study analyzed the incidence of breast implant-related complications and adherence to recommended follow-up schedules at the University Clinic of St. Poelten, focusing on implant ruptures and the need for revisions. The study reviewed 1,128 breast procedures conducted between August 2018 and December 2023. It was found that only 15.46% of breast implant patients adhered to the recommended annual check-ups. The remaining 84.54% sought consultation due to pain or aesthetic concerns without routine follow-ups. Implant-related complications, such as rupture and capsular contracture, were most commonly diagnosed when patients sought care for acute symptoms.
The study found that the majority (73.8%) of implant ruptures were diagnosed in patients who presented with pain or capsular contracture after an average of 17.36 ± 10.57 years of implantation. However, routine examinations uncovered 26.2% of “silent” ruptures, detected without clinical symptoms, after an average of 15.44 ± 11.17 years. These asymptomatic ruptures were identified through regular check-ups, underscoring the importance of periodic evaluations in detecting complications early, even before patients experience clinical symptoms.
The findings emphasize the necessity of annual implant check-ups and imaging for early identification of complications like implant rupture and potentially severe outcomes such as Breast Implant-Associated Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (BIA-ALCL). The study highlights that regular follow-ups can detect implant issues years before they present clinically, possibly preventing severe consequences and the need for more invasive interventions. Thus, the study advocates for adherence to regular breast implant monitoring to reduce complications and improve long-term patient outcomes.
Link to the article: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/21/6545
References Flores, T., Kerschbaumer, C., Glisic, C., Weber, M., Schrögendorfer, K. F., & Bergmeister, K. D. (2024). Breast implants: Low rate of annual check-ups results in delayed presentation of ruptured implants. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(21), 6545. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13216545
