American Society of Plastic Surgeons
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albanyf
9 months ago
Answered

Failed implant or not?

I had a breast reconstruction with implant under the muscle 7 weeks ago. After week 1 I developed a seroma that drained for 5 weeks. Didn’t respond to antibiotics so culture threw E.coli. Did 9 days of IM Ertapenem to save the surgery. Breast feels that pulls when I use the muscle. Draining stoped but how do I know if I will have to remove the implant or if antibiotics were enough? My PS is abroad

Procedure: Breast Augmentation
Location: Miami, FL

Replies 3

Ellis Tavin
ASPS Surgeon
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An infection that grew bacteria in contact with an implant is unlikely to be cured without replacing the implant. You need to talk to your plastic surgeon or their coverage if the surgeon is not available.

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Rahul Vemula
ASPS Surgeon
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so sorry to hear that this happened with your breast reconstruction. Ecoli is a gram negative bacteria. It is unlikely that the implant can be saved. Even though your plastic surgeon is abroad, there should be a covering doctor. Please get in touch with that covering doctor as soon as possible for an examination.

Best wishes

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Alfred Antonetti
ASPS Surgeon

You need to have follow ups by your surgeon, whomever covers for your surgeon or another surgeon. Time will tell if you loose the implant or not. To be seen by the surgeon is paramount.

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