Robert Whitfield MD has performed nearly 1,200 breast explant surgeries. He reports five cases of pneumothorax, zero hematomas, and low rates of bleeding, infection, and scarring. He stresses choosing an experienced surgeon for the procedure.
Almost 1,200 explants.
Five cases of pneumothorax in almost 1,200 explants.
None reported by the speaker.
So breast explant surgery is performed for a variety of reasons. Most commonly, my practice for breast implant illness. Relatively large experience, obviously, in breast implant illness, breast and complications. And so your explants are basically the same with implants, with a couple caveats. There is an incidence of entering the chest cavity, which is called a pneumothorax, in augmentations. Personally, I've done over almost 1200 explants at this point, and that instance where you get a pneumothorax has happened to me in five cases in, you know, almost 1200, you know, explants. So super low incidence. And I haven't had a hematoma, which is the next thing that I would actually be more concerned about, which is bleeding. All those things should be low. And, you know, a skin infection, super low. So it's always bleeding, infection, scarring. So we always want patients to pick their explant surgeon carefully. We want everybody just to get the best care possible. So always, you know, seek out a qualified surgeon, make sure they're doing explants routinely, and they understand the ramifications as I've discussed them on my shows, and wish you all the best on your healing journey.
