Use of silicone implants after wide local excision of the breast.

The appearance of the breast after wide local excision for carcinoma may be unsatisfactory. In 59 patients undergoing wide local excision a silicone prosthesis was inserted into the cavity at the time of primary surgery. Assessment of the cosmetic result was performed after 12 months by questionnaire and clinical examination. Four prostheses were removed within 1 year because of infection (two patients), wound breakdown (one) and pain (one). Seven prostheses were subsequently removed because of severe capsular contraction. Capsular contraction was more common in patients who had received radiotherapy. Only 23 patients found the results of the implant acceptable or satisfactory. The immediate use of intramammary implants after wide local excision is currently associated with a poor cosmetic result, and the problem of the distorted breast after such excision requires continued attention.