title: [Etiopathogenesis and treatment of breast capsular contracture].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Capsular contracture is a chronic and the most frequent complication of augmentation mammoplasty with breast implants and the main cause of patient's and surgeon's dissatisfaction. The mammary capsule consists of a fibrous tissue that surrounds the implant that may contract, changing the shape and consistency of the breast. In its advanced stage is accompanied by pronounced deformity, hardness and pain, being indicated for surgical treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  All the articles indexed on PubMed through the search 'capsular contracture' (2000 - January 2012) were reviewed and were included the articles of greater interest in terms of etiology, prophylaxis and treatment. Articles referred in relevant publications were also examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Everything indicates that its etiology is multifactorial; the etiopathology of breast capsular contracture continues being subject of multiple pre-clinical investigations. There are many studies performed in order to prevent the onset of capsular contracture but, although promising results, little is set for its application on clinical practice. The capsulectomy/capsulotomy continues being the gold standard treatment although the future may undergo non invasive techniques, at least in mild stages of disease.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although the surgical techniques and the quality of breast implants have been improving drastically in recent years, capsular contracture remains a real complication with great incidence and that continues affecting thousands of women all over the world.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Cirurgia. Faculdade de Medicina. Universidade do Porto. Porto. Portugal.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pereira Leite
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica, Reconstrutiva e Estética. Departamento de Cirurgia - FMUP. Hospital de São João. Porto. Portugal.
authors.forename: Inês
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Correia Sá
authors.affiliation: Serviço de Cirurgia Plástica, Reconstrutiva e Estética. Departamento de Cirurgia - FMUP. Hospital de São João. Porto. Portugal.
authors.forename: Marisa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marques
mesh_terms: D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057910:Implant Capsular Contracture / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*