Abstract
Periprosthetic infection is a major complication in breast reconstruction, leading
to implant loss and delayed and sometimes abandoned reconstruction. Traditional management
of persistent infections requires explantation followed by secondary reconstruction
after 6 months of delay. Although effective in treating the infection, this approach
often leads to distortion and/or loss of tissue envelope, making secondary reconstruction
very difficult. As a result, there is significant interest in salvaging infected prosthetic
breast reconstructions. Recent studies reported variable success through systemic
antibiotic therapy and surgical interventions. The aim of this article is to review
the management of periprosthetic infection and to provide a potential salvage algorithm.
Keywords
infected prosthetic breast reconstruction - periprosthetic breast infection - salvage
of implant-based breast reconstruction - salvage of periprosthetic infection
