title: Sonoelastography in the evaluation of capsule formation after breast augmentation - preliminary results from a follow-up study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are many indications for breast augmentation, including reconstruction after mastectomy, correction of congenital disorders and cosmetic procedures. The most frequent local complication of this surgery is capsule formation due to fibrosis. The aim of the study was to assess the usefulness of sonoelastography in the evaluation of capsule formation around silicone implants.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study group included 13 patients aged 20 to 41, who underwent breast augmentation with silicone implants. Their 26 breasts were examined before surgery, 7 and 14 days and a minimum of 8.5 months after surgery. The breast stiffness was assessed with tonometry and shear wave elastography to evaluate elasticity of the breast tissue and capsule formation after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We assessed the correlation between capsular elasticity measured at successive visits and the Baker scale. There were no significant relationships between any pairs of variables (p > 0.05). We also analyzed the correlation between the time of the follow-up and changes in the tissue elasticity of every region - no significant relationship was found. The greatest decrease in pericapsular elasticity was established in lower and inner quadrants. Moreover, there was a significant difference between the elasticity of the tissue before and 1 week after surgery (p < 0.05) and no significant changes in the elasticity before surgery and at the end of the follow-up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Sonoelastography is precise in evaluation of capsule formation after breast augmentation. It may show changes that cannot be assessed using palpation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mother's and Child's Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Katarzyna
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Paczkowska
authors.affiliation: Department of Mother's and Child's Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Paweł
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Rzymski
authors.affiliation: Individual Plastic Surgery Practice, Poznan-Zakrzewo, Poland.
authors.forename: Mikołaj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubasik
authors.affiliation: Department of Mother's and Child's Health, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Gynecologic and Obstetrical University Hospital, Poznan, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Opala
keywords: capsular contracture; shear wave elastography; silicone implants