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Breast Implant Illness and Symptoms in the Plastic Surgery Population
Meghan Brown MD, Brandon Lawson MD, Douglas Wagner MD FACS
Summa Health System
2023-01-19
Presenter: Meghan Brown MD
Affidavit:
I agree.
Director Name: Ananth Murthy
Author Category: Fellow Plastic Surgery
Presentation Category: Clinical
Abstract Category: Breast (Aesthetic and Recon.)
Introduction
Silicone breast implants have been utilized in practice for decades; the US sees roughly 400,000 annual implant-based surgeries. Recent concerns relate to a constellation of symptoms defined as Breast Implant Illness (BII), characterized by a range of over 50 symptoms. We aimed to determine what the true presence of BII symptoms are in the plastic surgery clinic population to ascertain if these symptoms occur more frequently in breast implant patients.
Methods
This is a prospective, single centered control trial. Female patients over 18 years of age voluntarily completed a survey which included the presence/absence of breast implants along with asking if they have any of the published main BII symptoms. Our endpoint is 500 patients.
Results
Of the patients with implants, the following noted positive symptoms; 27.3% fatigue, excess joint/muscle pain, brain fog, hair loss, headaches, depression and rashes, 36.3% insomnia; 45.5% dry eyes; 9.1% abdominal pain/constipation; 27.3% rashes, 63.6% neck/back pain, 18.2% heat/cold intolerance, 36.4% anxiety, 9.1% weight gain. Of the patients without implants, the following noted positive symptoms: 23.1% fatigue and brain fog, 12.8% joint/muscle pain, 12.8% hair loss, 48.7% insomnia, 17.9% dry eyes, 28.2% rashes, 12.8% abdominal pain, 43.6% neck/back pain, 10.3% heat/cold intolerance, 43.6% anxiety, 17.9% depression, 7.8% weight gain.
Discussion
The symptoms of BII are generalized in the plastic surgery general population; there does not seem to be a correlation with BII symptoms and the presence or absence of breast implants. These symptoms may be too vague to predict who requires explanation of implants for symptom relief.
