Complication

Description

Asymmetry

The breasts are uneven in appearance in terms of size, shape or breast level.

Breast Pain

Pain in the nipple or breast area

Breast Tissue Atrophy

Thinning and shrinking of the skin

Calcification/Calcium Deposits

Hard lumps under the skin around the implant. These can be mistaken for cancer during mammography, resulting in additional surgery.

Capsular Contracture

Tightening of the tissue capsule around an implant, resulting in firmness or hardening of the breast and squeezing of the implant if severe.

Chest Wall Deformity

Chest wall or underlying rib cage appears deformed.

Deflation

Leakage of the saline solution from a saline-filled breast implant, often due to a valve leak or a tear or cut in the implant shell (rupture), with partial or complete collapse of the implant.

Delayed Wound Healing

Incision site fails to heal normally or takes longer to heal.

Extrusion

The skin breaks down and the implant appears through the skin.

Hematoma

Collection of blood near the surgical site. This may cause swelling, bruising and pain.　 Hematomas usually occur soon after surgery, but can occur any time there is injury to the breast.　 The body may absorb small hematomas, but large ones may require medical intervention, such as surgical draining.

Iatrogenic Injury/Damage

Injury or damage to tissue or implant as a result of implant surgery

Infection, including Toxic Shock Syndrome

Occurs when wounds are contaminated with microorganisms, such as bacteria or fungi.　 Most infections resulting from surgery appear within a few days to a week, but infection is possible any time after surgery.　 If an infection does not respond to antibiotics, the implant may need to be removed

Inflammation/Irritation

Response by the body to an infection or injury.　 Demonstrated by redness, swelling, warmth, pain and or/loss of function.

Lymphedema or Lymphadenopathy

Swollen or enlarged lymph nodes

Malposition/Displacement

The implant is not in the correct position in the breast.　 This can happen during surgery or afterwards if the implant moves or shifts from its original location.　 Shifting can be caused by factors such as gravity, trauma or capsular contracture.

Necrosis

Dead skin or tissue around the breast.　 Necrosis can be caused by infection.

Nipple/Breast Sensation Changes

An increase or decrease in the feeling in the nipple and/or breast.　 Can vary in degree and may be temporary or permanent.　 May affect sexual response or breast feeding.

Palpability

The implant can be felt through the skin.

Ptosis

Breast sagging that is usually the result of normal aging, pregnancy or weight loss.

Redness/Bruising

Bleeding at the time of surgery can cause the skin to change color. This is an expected symptom due to surgery, and is likely temporary.

Rupture

A tear or hole in the implant’s outer shell.

Seroma

Collection of fluid around the implant.　 May cause swelling, pain and bruising.　 The body may absorb small seromas.　 Large ones will require a surgical drain.

Skin Rash

A rash on or around the breast.

Unsatisfactory Style/Size

Patient is not satisfied with the overall look based on the style or size of the implant used.

Visibility

The implant can be seen through the skin.

Wrinkling/Rippling

Wrinkling of the implant that can be felt or seen through the skin.