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Role of Biofilms in Breast Implant Associated Infections and Capsular Contracture

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Biofilm-based Healthcare-associated Infections

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 831))

Abstract

Breast implants are used for cosmetic breast enlargement, correction of asymmetries and congenital defects and for reconstruction after mastectomy for breast cancer or cancer risk reduction. Breast implant associated complications still represent a significant challenge for clinicians and have a significant negative impact on patient satisfaction, hospital length of stay, and associated costs. Breast implant related infection is one of the leading causes of morbidity that complicates breast implantation representing around 2 % of interventions in most series. Cellulitis, periimplant infection, fistula presence and/or implant exposure often mandate immediate device removal. However, there been some reports of attempted implant salvage in certain patients. Other potential complication is capsular contracture. Contracture of this capsule around a soft implant leads to a painful, tight capsular contracture. It has been postulated that contracture might be related to a chronic infection with propionibacteria, coagulase-negative staphylococcus and other skin organisms. Rates of capsular contracture may range between 1 and 33 %. Cause of capsular contracture and, accordingly, treatment and prevention, remains to be elucidated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Infectious Diseases Division, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Jose L. del Pozo

  2. Department of Clinical Microbiology, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Jose L. del Pozo

  3. Department of Plastic Surgery, Clinica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Cristina Auba

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  1. Jose L. del Pozo
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  2. Cristina Auba
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Correspondence to Jose L. del Pozo .

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  1. Fondazione Santa Lucia IRCCS, Microbial Biofilm Laboratory, Rome, Italy

    Gianfranco Donelli

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del Pozo, J.L., Auba, C. (2015). Role of Biofilms in Breast Implant Associated Infections and Capsular Contracture. In: Donelli, G. (eds) Biofilm-based Healthcare-associated Infections. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 831. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09782-4_5

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