Determination of serum fibrosis indexes in patients with capsular contracture after augmentation with smooth silicone gel implants.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have confirmed a correlation between the concentration of serum hyaluronan and progressive fibrotic disorders such as liver cirrhosis. The aim of this study was to explore the relationship between serum hyaluronan levels and capsular contracture after aesthetic breast augmentation.

METHODS: The study included 25 female patients (average age, 40 +/- 12 years) with capsular contracture after cosmetic breast augmentation with smooth silicone gel implants (Mentor, Santa Barbara, Calif.). The implants were placed in a submuscular position through an inframammary fold incision. The implant removals were prompted by development of capsular fibrosis (Baker grades I through IV). Samples of capsular tissue were obtained from all patients for standard histologic and immunohistochemical analysis. Blood samples were drawn from all patients immediately before operation. Sera from 20 healthy female patients (average age, 34 +/- 9 years) were used as control.

RESULTS: : Capsular tissue revealed significantly higher thickness in patients with grade III/IV contracture than in women with grade II contracture, according to Baker's classification. There was a moderate (n = 15) or severe (n = 10) chronic inflammatory reaction in the capsules around the implants. Fibroblasts, fibroblast-like cells, and macrophages represented the major cell populations found within the fibrous capsules, along with scattered polymorphonuclear leukocytes, lymphocytes, plasma cells, and mast cells. In addition, activated CD4+ cells were detected. An inner layer with synovia-like metaplasia and multinucleated giant cells was found. There was a significantly higher level (p < 0.05) of hyaluronan serum concentration in patients with capsular contracture (26 +/- 14 microg/liter) compared with control subjects (12 +/- 6 microg/liter). There was a positive correlation between the grade of capsular contracture (Baker grades I through IV) and the hyaluronan serum concentration (Baker grade II, 15 +/- 3 microg/liter; Baker grade III, 34 +/- 13 microg/liter; Baker grade IV, 42 +/- 11 microg/liter) (r = 0.73; p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Serum hyaluronan levels were significantly elevated in patients with capsular contracture after breast augmentation, and there was a positive correlation with stage of capsular contracture. Further study is necessary to determine whether hyaluronan might be useful as a predictor for the development and progress of capsular fibrosis.