ArticleAesthetic surgery journal2024
Complications of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Implant Capsulectomy: An Analysis of 7486 Patients Using Nationwide Outcomes Data.
Article in Aesthetic surgery journal, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 6 citations in OpenAlex.
- The Role of Montelukast in the Prevention and Treatment of Capsular Contracture (Baker Grade III-IV) - A Systematic Review and Case Analysis.Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2026Pooled it
- Breast Explant Procedures: Current Opinions and Practices Among Specialist Surgeons in Australia.Aesthetic plastic surgery · 2026Article
- Long-term Follow-up of Remnant Capsules After Implant Removal Without Capsulectomy: An Animal Model Study.Aesthetic surgery journal · 2025Article
- Assessment of Mortality Rates Associated With Perioperative Deep Vein Thrombosis Screening and Prophylaxis in Cosmetic Outpatient Procedures: An Updated National Evaluation Using QUAD A Patient Safety Data.Aesthetic surgery journal. Open forum · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
6 authors at 5 institutions in 2 countries.
Funding
Abstract
backgroundDespite increasing demand for breast capsular surgery to treat various benign and malignant implant-related pathologies, high-quality evidence elucidating complication profiles of capsulectomy and capsulotomy is lacking.
objectivesThe aim of this study was to provide the largest-scale analysis of associated outcomes and complications using the Tracking Operations and Outcomes for Plastic Surgeons (TOPS) database, and to investigate clinical scenarios that may subject patients to increased risks for complications, most notably extent of capsular surgery (complete vs partial) and index indication of implantation (aesthetic vs reconstructive).
methodsAn analysis of the TOPS database from 2008 to 2019 was performed. CPT codes were used to identify complete capsulectomy and partial capsulectomy/capsulotomy cases. Breast implant exchange procedures constituted procedural controls.
resultsIn total, 7486 patients (10,703 breasts) undergoing capsulectomy or capsulotomy were assessed. Relative to controls, capsulectomy (4.40% vs 5.79%), but not capsulotomy (4.40% vs 4.50%), demonstrated higher overall complication rates. Both capsulectomies (0.83% vs 0.23%) and capsulotomies (0.56% vs 0.23%) also had greater rates of seroma relative to controls. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that reconstructive patients, relative to aesthetic patients, experienced greater overall complications (6.76% vs 4.34%), and increased risks for seroma (1.06% vs 0.47%), dehiscence (0.46% vs 0.14%), surgical site infections (1.03% vs 0.23%), and implant loss (0.52% vs 0.23%). A detailed synthesis of 30-day outcomes, including all patient- and breast-specific complications, for both capsulectomy and capsulotomy, stratified according to all potential confounders, is presented herein.
conclusionsSurgeries on the breast capsule are safe overall, although complete capsulectomies and reconstructive patients are associated with significantly increased operative risks. The present findings will enhance patient selection, counseling, and informed consent. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3:
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