A Simple and Low-cost Method of Sleeve to Insert Silicone Gel Breast Implants.

Abstract

Summary:Contact between silicone implants and skin/breast parenchyma has been described as an agent of implant contamination and biofilm formation, resulting in implant complications. The no-touch technique was introduced to avoid implant contact and reduce skin/breast contamination. The authors propose an easily available sleeve option using a saline sterile plastic container that provides elastic and transparent protection for inserting silicone implants. These sterile containers can be easily converted into a sleeve by cutting off the narrow end of the container, which then easily fits into the small inframammary, periareolar, and transaxillary incisions. The authors have performed this technique in 10 patients (20 implants) undergoing primary breast augmentation or revision breast surgery, with microtexturized implants ranging in size from 255 to 500 ml (mean, 325 ml) and obtained satisfactory results with no cases of complications. Our clinical outcome shows that this new sleeve does not interact with the implant or the patient’s skin and soft tissues and has the added advantage of low cost compared with similar available devices, but further randomized and controlled studies are required to corroborate this effect.