Many patients throughout the world have had breast augmentation using injectable materials. In the Far East, an adulterated impure silicone has been used by non-medical persons and unlicensed 'cosmetic surgeons' as well as by licensed physicians. The injected material usually causes a granulomatous reaction, tenderness, erythema, pain or discomfort and even skin necrosis. Eventually, the injected breast becomes very hard and develops a distorted contour. Previous treatment was by subcutaneous mastectomy with immediate or delayed reconstruction using a silicone prosthesis. The results of this were often unsatisfactory. We obtained more satisfactory results in 11 patients who had the siliconoma removed by subcutaneous mastectomy and the breast reconstructed with a de-epithelialised TRAM flap.
Copyright 2001 The British Association of Plastic Surgeons.