CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE SCAR TISSUE

Posted On: September 17, 2009 Author: The Office of Dr. Stuart Linder Posted In: Breast Augmentation, Breast Revision

BEVERLY HILLS PLASTIC SURGERY
Capsular contracture is one of the most common problems associated with all women having breast augmentation.  We see this every day in our Beverly Hills practice.  Dr. Linder specializes in breast revision surgery.  Capsulectomies and capsulotomies are a large proportion of his operations.  Capsulectomies are removal of scar tissue and the capsulotomy is the circumferential open release of the scar tissue without removal of the tissue itself.

There are four Baker classifications of scar tissue.  Baker I is minimal or none, Baker II is palpable, Baker III is palpable and visible and Baker IV is palpable, visible and painful, hard and cold breasts.  Baker IV contractures are associated with sometimes severe pain with distortion and deformity of the breasts.  Often, there is superior retroposition of the implant with often even a double-bubble deformity.  These operations require skill and experience from Board Certified Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons.

A capsulectomy is performed to remove scar tissue when patients have enough coverage that it will not increase visibility and rippling of the bag versus a capsulotomy where the tissue is simply released and this is often associated with very think or ectomorphic build patients where your concern with removing scar tissue may lead to complete loss of coverage of the implant causing visibility.

Capsular contracture is one of the most common problems we see as breast specialists, both for augmentation as well reconstructive nature.  Patients must seek Board Certified Plastic Surgeons when considering breast revision surgery.