CLINICAL RESEARCH
Sonoelastography in the evaluation of capsule formation after breast augmentation – preliminary results from a follow-up study
 
More details
Hide details
 
Submission date: 2014-11-19
 
 
Acceptance date: 2014-11-28
 
 
Online publication date: 2015-03-18
 
 
Publication date: 2016-06-30
 
 
Arch Med Sci 2016;12(4):793-798
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction: There are many indications for breast augmentation, including reconstruction after mastectomy, correction of congenital disorders and cosmetic procedures. The most frequent local complication of this surgery is capsule formation due to fibrosis. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of sonoelastography in the evaluation of capsule formation around silicone implants.
Material and methods: The study group included 13 patients aged 20 to 41, who underwent breast augmentation with silicone implants. Their 26 breasts were examined before surgery, 7 and 14 days and a minimum of 8.5 months after surgery. The breast stiffness was assessed with tonometry and shear wave elastography to evaluate elasticity of the breast tissue and capsule formation after surgery.
Results: We assessed the correlation between capsular elasticity measured at successive visits and the Baker scale. There were no significant relationships between any pairs of variables (p > 0.05). We also analyzed the correlation between the time of the follow-up and changes in the tissue elasticity of every region – no significant relationship was found. The greatest decrease in pericapsular elasticity was established in lower and inner quadrants. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the elasticity of the tissue before and 1 week after surgery (p < 0.05) and no significant changes in the elasticity before surgery and at the end of the follow-up.
Conclusions: Sonoelastography is precise in evaluation of capsule formation after breast augmentation. It may show changes that cannot be assessed using palpation.
eISSN:1896-9151
ISSN:1734-1922
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top