Capsular Contracture Treatment Options By Vishnu Rumalla on July 01, 2016

A full and shapely bust line can balance out body proportions, give a woman the feminine curves she desires, and enhance her confidence. Unfortunately, a lot of women are not naturally blessed with large breasts. That is why so many women rely on breast augmentation to provide them with the shapely bust line they desire. Breast augmentation enhances the size and shape of the breasts with the placement of breast implants. In the majority of cases, patients recover from breast augmentation without any complications and are able to enjoy the post-surgical results they desire. However, in rare instances, complications do arise, and they prevent women from achieving their aesthetic goals. The most common breast augmentation complication is capsular contracture. Plastic surgeon Vishnu Rumalla offers capsular contracture treatment at his Fort Worth, TX practice.

What Is Capsular Contracture?

Capsular contracture is a negative reaction that the body sometimes has after undergoing breast augmentation. Because a breast implant is a foreign object, it is natural for the body to respond by forming a protective layer of tissue around it. The presence of this scar tissue itself is not a problem. However, in rare cases, this scar tissue shrinks and begins to squeeze the breast implant. As this scar tissue presses in on the breast implant, it can affect the feel and shape of the breast. Patients with capsular contracture may notice that the breasts begin to feel unnaturally firm and misshaped. In severe cases of capsular contracture, patients may experience severe pain or discomfort.

Treating Capsular Contracture

Doctors classify capsular contracture by evaluating the firmness and shape of the breasts, as well as the degree of discomfort that the patient is experiencing. Some of the treatments that may be offered include:

Medication: In very minor cases of capsular contracture, doctors may recommend a treatment that relies on the use of medication and supplements (primarily Vitamin E). If capsular contracture symptoms are mild, and are thought to be the result of an infection, then the use of antibiotics may prove effective. Medication is the most conservative treatment for capsular contracture. Unfortunately, this treatment method is rarely successful in fully treating the condition.
Capsulotomy: In most cases, capsular contracture will need to be treated surgically. One surgical method that may be considered is a capsulotomy. During this procedure, the surgeon releases the tension on the breast implant by cutting, or scoring, the capsule of scar tissue that has formed around the breast implant. This can soften the breast, restore its normal shape, and relieve pain and discomfort.
Capsulectomy: The most common treatment for capsular contracture is a capsulectomy. This treatment option has proven most successful in fully treating capsular contracture and relieving patients of all of its symptoms. During a capsulectomy, Dr. Rumalla completely removes the capsule, or scar tissue, that has formed around the breast implant. The entire breast implant pocket is completely cleaned out before placing a new breast implant. While a new layer of tissue will form around this implant, it is very rare for capsular contracture to develop again. This surgery has a very high rate of success.