Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42657507›Full record

ArticleThe breast journal2026

An Algorithm for Salvage of Implant-Threatening Complications in Breast Reconstruction.

Elizaveta Kouniavski, Shani Gilron, Moran Lemberger, Pnina Ciobotaro, Dana Egozi, Sharon L Kracoff-Sella

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in The breast journal, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

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.

2 · The registry

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.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Elizaveta KouniavskiThe Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaplan Medical Center, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel, huji.ac.il.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6398-8522
Shani GilronThe Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaplan Medical Center, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel, huji.ac.il.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5911-3861
Moran LembergerThe Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaplan Medical Center, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel, huji.ac.il.
Pnina CiobotaroThe Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tel-Aviv, Chaim Levanon St 55, Tel Aviv-Yafo 6997801, Israel.
Dana EgoziThe Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaplan Medical Center, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel, huji.ac.il.
Sharon L Kracoff-SellaThe Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kaplan Medical Center, Affiliated to the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Rehovot, Israel, huji.ac.il.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8402-0356

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundImplant-based breast reconstruction is associated with postoperative infectious and wound-related complications that may compromise reconstructive outcomes, particularly in cohorts predominantly undergoing immediate reconstruction. Optimal management remains controversial, with no universally accepted salvage algorithm.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of 198 patients (285 breasts) who underwent implant-based reconstruction between 2013 and 2023, the majority of whom underwent immediate reconstruction. Implant-threatening complications were defined as surgical site infection according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria, full-thickness skin necrosis, or deep wound dehiscence. A standardized institutional salvage protocol incorporating antibiotic therapy with or without surgical intervention was applied. Outcomes included implant salvage and final reconstruction status at the end of follow-up, and logistic regression was used to identify predictors of salvage failure.

resultsImplant-threatening complications occurred in 28.3% of patients, with salvage achieved in 51.8% of cases. All patients in the salvage group achieved final reconstruction, compared to 44.4% in the nonsalvage group (p < 0.01). The most common complications were skin necrosis and wound dehiscence, followed by infection, and Gram-negative organisms predominated among culture-positive cases. Resistant organisms (p = 0.04), implant extrusion (p = 0.008), and prior radiation therapy (p = 0.019) were independent predictors of salvage failure.

conclusionA protocol-based salvage approach may facilitate implant preservation and improve final reconstruction rates. Early, case-specific conservative management, tailored to local microbiologic patterns, may optimize outcomes.

Indexed as

AlgorithmsBreast ImplantationBreast ImplantsMammaplastyPostoperative ComplicationsSalvage TherapySurgical Wound InfectionAdultAnti-Bacterial AgentsBreast NeoplasmsFemaleHumansMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesSurgical Wound DehiscenceAnti-Bacterial Agentsbreast reconstructiondirect-to-implantimmediate breast reconstructionimplant-based reconstructionpostoperative complicationssurgical site infection

Identifiers

PMID42657507
PMCPMC13519891

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.