Absence of capsular contracture in 319 consecutive augmentation mammaplasties: Dependent drains as a possible factor

Capsular contracture is one of the major complications of augmentation mammaplasty.A review of 638 augmented breasts in 319 consecutive patients who underwent primary augmentation, with an average follow-up of 17.2 months and without a single case of capsular contracture of any degree to date, is presented, along with a discussion of the surgical technique and complications, and an analysis of measures used to prevent capsular contraction.Each patient received a pair of smooth saline-filled implants (Mentor, USA) placed in the submuscular space through an inframammary incision.In all operated breasts, many of the known measures commonly used for capsular contracture prevention were implemented.As well, a dependent drain was used as the final hemostatic step to prevent blood accumulation in the pocket.Leaving a dependent drain in the dissected pocket overnight, as one of the sequence of measures aimed at eliminating blood accumulation, is believed to be a contributing factor in capsular contracture prevention.