Abstract
Abstract Aims Implant-based reconstruction is the most popular reconstruction in patients undergoing mastectomy for carcinoma or risk reduction. Postoperative complications such as infection are well known to result in implant loss, but the incidence and causes of late implant loss are not well studied. Methods We reviewed patients who underwent an implant-based reconstruction over a 5 year period (2018-2022) and identified those who had an unplanned implant removal 3 months after reconstruction. We looked at the comorbidities, method of reconstruction, exposure to radiotherapy and reasons for removal. Results Amongst 196 reconstructions there were 17 (8.7%) unplanned late removals, average time to removal 11.4 months. The reasons are infection or wound healing issues (8), rupture (3), cancer recurrence (3), deflation during port removal (2) and migration (1). Radiotherapy exposure was 41% vs. 18% in non-removal group. Conclusions A significant number of implants continued to be lost after the immediate postoperative period. Patients should be aware of that possibility. Radiotherapy appears to increase this risk.
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