Histopathological observation on the complications associated with augmentation mammoplasty by injection of polyacrylamide hydrogel

Abstract

Objective To explore the histopathological changes in the breast after injection of polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAHG) and the possible causes of complications associated with PAHG augmentation mammoplasty. Methods The breast samples from 87 women, who had undergone PAHC augmentation mammoplasty in other hospitals or clinics and occurred complications, received repair surgery in our hospital. We examined the pathological changes in these breast tissues. Results The women injected with PAHG into the breast occurred complications clinically, including nodularity and lumps, gel migration, pain, and infection. The main histopathological changes in the mammary tissues taken from the majority of individuals with com-plication were integration and migration of PAHG within the fat, muscle and glandular tissues of the breast. The most marked findings (34/87, 39.08%) were foreign body reactions without prominent fibrosis or fibrous capsule. Destruction of glandular tissue and inflammatory changes could also be found in some patients (12/87, 13.8%). Carcinogenetic changes of the mammary gland were not found. Conclusions PAHG is a migratory material, which penetrates diffusely within the breast and not be fully absorbed. PAHG can induce foreign body reaction, which forms different histopathologic stages and can induce cell injury in the breast gland and the nearby muscular tissues. Key words: Mammoplasty; Polyacrylamide hydrogel; Complications; Histopathology