Resolution of Systemic Rheumatologic Symptoms following Breast Implant Removal

• Published in: Plastic and reconstructive surgery. Global open Vol. 8; no. 5; p. e2828
• Main Authors: Marano, Andrew A, Cohen, Michael H, Ascherman, Jeffrey A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Copyright The Authors. Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. All rights reserved 01.05.2020; Wolters Kluwer Health; Wolters Kluwer
• Subjects: Case Report
• ISSN: 2169-7574; 2169-7574
• DOI: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000002828

Reports of women with breast implants who suffer a wide variety of systemic symptoms have become more and more prevalent over the past several years. This entity has become known as breast implant illness in conventional news and social media outlets but has vague and nonspecific diagnostic criteria. As a result, the phenomenon is difficult to both identify and treat. The reported patient is a 76-year-old woman who underwent breast reconstruction with a latissimus dorsi flap and textured silicone implant 20 years before the onset of symptoms, which included debilitating joint pain. She had previously maintained an active lifestyle, but symptoms progressed to a point where she was unable to perform basic tasks. A full rheumatologic and connective tissue workup was done, but other than elevated markers of inflammation, it showed no diagnosable disease entity. After a lengthy discussion with her primary care physician and plastic surgeon, she decided to undergo removal of the implant. Following explantation, her symptoms quickly improved, and within several weeks, she was able to return to her active lifestyle.