Breast Surgeon Comments on Study of Capsular Contracture Treatment

    CHERRY HILL, NJ, September 22, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- New Jersey plastic surgery specialist Dr. Evan Sorokin of Delaware Valley Plastic Surgery, P.A. (www.delawarevalleyplasticsurgery.com) is optimistic about new findings that could mean lower incidence of a common breast implant complication. A recently released study indicates that a new implant coverage technique diminishes the occurrence of capsular contracture in breast reconstruction patients.

The study, published by Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery , the journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons , focused on the use of a device called an acellular dermal matrix in breast reconstruction. An acellular dermal matrix is made from skin from which the cells have been removed, creating a sterile framework with a crisscrossed, lattice-like appearance. The device allows the patient's own cells to grow over and eventually replace it.

"We've known for some time now that acellular dermal matrices are great for adding support to reconstructed breasts, which helps speed up the healing process," says Dr. Sorokin, who focuses on innovative options in breast augmentation procedures at his New Jersey practice. "But we're just now learning that they can also prevent capsular contracture in reconstruction. That's very exciting news."

Capsular contracture is among the top concerns for breast reconstruction and augmentation patients. Scar tissue is the body's natural way of defending itself against foreign material, such as breast implants. When an excess of scar tissue is produced, the breast capsule contracts and squeezes the implant, and capsular contracture occurs. This complication causes the breasts to feel hard and painful, and it is the most common reason for corrective surgery following breast reconstruction. It affects up to 15.9% of breast reconstruction patients, according to the study, which was performed by doctors at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Emory University, and the Mayo Clinic.

"I frequently perform revisionary surgery on patients with breast implants in New Jersey who have capsular contracture," Dr. Sorokin says. "Though there are steps a surgeon can take to reduce the risk of this complication, its occurrence is largely related to the patient's own body and immune response."

In breast cancer patients, radiation therapy can cause inflammatory changes in the skin, which may increase the risk of capsular contracture following a reconstructive procedure with implants.

The study followed 11 patients who underwent breast reconstruction with tissue expanders and implants. Though 4 of the patients had previous histories of capsular contracture, none of the 11 experienced a recurrence of the complication following surgery using acellular dermal matrices to cover their entire implants, rather than the more common partial coverage technique.

"Even though this study focused on breast reconstruction, I'm optimistic that the acellular dermal matrices may benefit breast augmentation patients, too," Dr. Sorokin says. "Though capsular contracture certainly doesn't happen to everyone, it can be an unsightly, often painful complication. Any innovation that can potentially keep breast augmentation patients out of the operating room a second time is worth a closer look."

Dr. Evan Sorokin (www.delawarevalleyplasticsurgery.com) is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New Jersey who offers a full range of cosmetic surgery procedures, including short-recovery breast augmentation. Dr. Sorokin earned his medical degree from Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia before training extensively in both general surgery and plastic surgery at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. He has earned recognition from professional and lay organizations for his contributions to cosmetic surgery in New Jersey. Dr. Sorokin is certified by The America Board of Plastic Surgery, the only plastic and cosmetic surgery board recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

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