Early versus Delayed Implant Exchange after Periprosthetic Breast Infection: A Single Center Study

BACKGROUND: Breast implant infections are challenging problems for both plastic surgeons and patients. They may require readmissions, re-operations, and have the potential to compromise the final result. Our goal was to determine whether early operative intervention (return to the operating room <72 h after diagnosis of infection) or intravenous antibiotics with later operative intervention increased long-term retention of a prosthesis. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of patients who were hospitalized or underwent reoperation for an infection from 2006 through 2016. The length of hospitalization, length of IV antibiotic use, and retention of the breast prosthesis at 3-months after reoperation were recorded for each patient. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study demonstrate that breast implants may be salvaged after early (<72 hours) or delayed (>72 hours) operative intervention; however, early intervention is associated with a significantly shorter length of stay, and trends toward a shorter antibiotic course and higher rate of implant retention at 3 months.