An uncommon complication of secondary augmentation mammoplasty

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Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2005 Jul-Aug;29(4):274-9;

discussion 280. Related Articles, Links

An uncommon complication of secondary augmentation

mammoplasty: bilaterally massive engorgement of

breasts after pregnancy attributable to postinfection

and blockage of mammary ducts.

Acarturk S, Gencel E, Tuncer I.

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic

Surgery, Cukurova University School of Medicine, Adana

01330, Turkey. acarturk@...

Augmentation mammoplasty is one of the most frequently

performed aesthetic operations. Galactorrhea and

galactocele formation after augmentation mammoplasty,

while the patient is experiencing the hormonal

effects, is rarely seen. The cause remains unknown.

However, postoperative fibrosis and blockage of the

mammary ducts after augmentation mammoplasty is a

probable cause of this formation in some patients. In

the reported case, the patient described painful

massive engorgement of both breasts during the last

month of pregnancy and inability to breast-feed after

delivery. In her history, she had undergone breast

augmentation via the semicircular periareolar

transglandular approach. She had experienced an

infection at an early stage of her postoperative

period and had needed to have both prostheses removed.

A second breast augmentation mammoplasty was performed

1 year after the first operation via the same

incision. She was content with the result of her

second augmentation mammoplasty, up until her third

pregnancy, at which time she reported inability to

breast-feed after her delivery. At our examination, it

was determined that there was massive painful breast

engorgement, hyperemia, and inflammation of both

breasts attributable to a bilateral galactocele

formation. She refused to take any medication

(bromocriptine), but approved antibiotic treatment.

The patient responded to the antibiotics, and the

prostheses therefore were left in place without

further complications.