Capsular contracture treatment is a growing specialty within the cosmetic breast surgery industry. Capsular contracture can be a disturbing and painful process which may ruin the look and feel of augmented breasts. Contracture can be mild, moderate or severe and the symptomatic extent will dictate which treatment method is appropriate, guiding your doctor in advising you on the best course of action.
This guide explains all the common therapies which can be directed at resolving contracture, including the benefits and drawbacks of each modality.
Capsular Contracture Treatment Modalities
There are a variety of proven and experimental treatments used in the treatment of capsular contracture:
Capsulectomy surgery is the most drastic option. The constricting capsule is completely removed during the operation. This is the most effective method of relieving all symptoms and preventing a recurrence.
Capsulotomy surgery helps to break up and remove portions of the capsule, freeing the implant from contracture. This operation is appropriate in some instances, but is generally less effective than full capsulectomy.
Closed capsulotomy uses manual pressure to forcibly break the contracture. This is a painful and dangerous procedure which is ill advised by every major breast implant manufacturer.
Breast compression exercises might help to prevent contracture progression and keep the capsule soft and pliable.
Breast massage, especially quadrant massage, might keep the capsule loose and soft, preventing painful constriction from occurring.
Ultrasound might help to soften and reduce contracture conditions. Some forms of extended ultrasound might endanger the actual breast implant, by weakening the exterior shell, so caution is advised.
Antibiotics after surgery might help reduce the incidence of capsular contracture, by preventing irritation from infectious contaminants. Some drugs also act to suppress the immune response, which causes contracture conditions.
Accolate is an anti-inflammatory drug which might prevent or successfully treat contracture conditions. This traditional asthma therapy has shown promise as a valuable contributor to capsular contracture treatment.
Vitamin E might help to maintain softness and pliability in the scar capsule, preventing symptomatic constriction from occurring.
Papaverine is an opium-based drug used as a muscle relaxant. It has also shown promise as a method of preventing and reducing capsular contracture.
Fixing Capsular Contracture
The best approach to dealing with contracture during the surgical planning phase is to reduce controllable factors which might contribute to the start of the condition. This includes choice of procedure, placement and implants.
During the actual surgery, the doctor should also do everything in their power to reduce any contributors to contracture, such as ensuring against contamination or infection.
Post-surgery, the patient should consider instituting any number of possible preventative measures as recommended by their cosmetic surgeon.
Keeping all these factors on your “to do list” will certainly reduce the chances of developing contracture to begin with. Prevention is always easier than treatment.
If you do develop symptomatic contracture, consider your options carefully. Non-surgical resolution using drugs, massage and ultrasound might work well for you. If not, there are always surgical methods which offer excellent results.
Talk to your surgeon to discuss treatment options for your particular contracture condition and learn the risks and benefits of each modality prior to making your choice.
