Background To investigate the impact of removal surgery in women with breast implant illness (BII) on the improvement of symptoms, as well as on the current quality of life of women. Methods This is an observational study of a cohort of women undergoing definitive implant removal for BII-related symptomatology between 2016 and 2022 in Cali, Colombia. All data were collected from medical records and through a telephone survey. The severity of 10 clinical manifestations before and after removal surgery was evaluated with a five-point Likert scale. Quality of life was assessed with the BREAST-Q scale. Results A total of 125 women who underwent breast removal surgery were included; mean age was 48.8 ±9.7 years. The three most frequent reported symptoms at baseline were sore/aching joint (48.0%), fatigue (32.0%), and hair loss (25.6%). At a median follow-up of 18 months after implant removal, significant improvement was observed in all symptoms (p value<0.05) with a mean reduction in the percentage of women with symptomatology of 55.8% ±6.4%. At least half of the women reported a BREAST-Q of 100 points on the dimensions of satisfaction with breasts, physical well-being, and satisfaction with surgical outcome. Conclusion This study provides evidence in favor of breast removal surgery as a treatment option in women with BII symptomatology. Highlights<UnorderedList Mark="Bullet"> <ItemContent> Nowadays, the evidence on breast implant illness is not conclusive. However, due to media interest and growing concern among patients and decision-makers, it is necessary to increase knowledge about BII, especially in low- and middle-income countries where evidence is poor. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Consistent with the results of other studies, implant removal surgery significantly reduced the severity of symptoms at a median follow-up of 18 months after explantation in 125 women included in this study. </ItemContent> <ItemContent> Women after explantation reported a good quality of life and satisfaction with their breast appearance, physical well-being and surgical outcome with the BREAST-Q score. </ItemContent> </UnorderedList> Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors <a href="http://www.springer.com/00266">www.springer.com/00266</a>.

Clinical Outcomes in Women with Breast Implant Illness After Removal Surgery: Experience from a Latin American Center

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月24日

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Paola Kafury-Goeta,
Viviana García,
Alvaro Villegas,
Nora B. Sánchez,
Federico Reina

摘要

Background

To investigate the impact of removal surgery in women with breast implant illness (BII) on the improvement of symptoms, as well as on the current quality of life of women.

Methods

This is an observational study of a cohort of women undergoing definitive implant removal for BII-related symptomatology between 2016 and 2022 in Cali, Colombia. All data were collected from medical records and through a telephone survey. The severity of 10 clinical manifestations before and after removal surgery was evaluated with a five-point Likert scale. Quality of life was assessed with the BREAST-Q scale.

Results

A total of 125 women who underwent breast removal surgery were included; mean age was 48.8 ±9.7 years. The three most frequent reported symptoms at baseline were sore/aching joint (48.0%), fatigue (32.0%), and hair loss (25.6%). At a median follow-up of 18 months after implant removal, significant improvement was observed in all symptoms (p value<0.05) with a mean reduction in the percentage of women with symptomatology of 55.8% ±6.4%. At least half of the women reported a BREAST-Q of 100 points on the dimensions of satisfaction with breasts, physical well-being, and satisfaction with surgical outcome.

Conclusion

This study provides evidence in favor of breast removal surgery as a treatment option in women with BII symptomatology.

Highlights

Nowadays, the evidence on breast implant illness is not conclusive. However, due to media interest and growing concern among patients and decision-makers, it is necessary to increase knowledge about BII, especially in low- and middle-income countries where evidence is poor.

Consistent with the results of other studies, implant removal surgery significantly reduced the severity of symptoms at a median follow-up of 18 months after explantation in 125 women included in this study.

Women after explantation reported a good quality of life and satisfaction with their breast appearance, physical well-being and surgical outcome with the BREAST-Q score.

Level of Evidence IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.