SMS-Split Muscle Support: A Reproducible Approach for Breast Implant Stabilization.

[BACKGROUND] Recent concerns regarding the association between macrotextured breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma (ALCL) have led to renewed interest in the use of devices with less texturing. Smooth implants appear to have a decreased risk of ALCL; however, low implant adherence has led to questions about implant stabilization and bottoming-out. The senior author has used a split muscle support (SMS) technique to help support the implant infero-laterally in over 380 breast augmentations and augmentation-mastopexy using smooth implants, with a low complication and reoperation rate.

[METHODS] A retrospective chart review of 387 consecutive breast augmentation and augmentation-mastopexy patients operated on by the senior author over 24 months was performed. The SMS technique was classified in three grades according to amount of implant support by the pectoralis major muscle.

[RESULTS] Patients were followed for an average of 13 months. Major complications occurred in seven (1.9%) patients, of which five (1.4%) were considered implant-related. There were one case of implant rotation and three cases of malposition during the transition from microtexture to nanotexture implants and one case of capsular contracture in a previously irradiated breast. Three post-massive weight loss patients required reoperation for further skin adjustment, and one patient requested upsizing of her implants at 3 months.

[CONCLUSIONS] The SMS technique is easily reproducible, adjustable intraoperatively according to patient characteristics, and helps stabilize breast implants. With increasing patient awareness regarding ALCL, the association of smooth implants along with the varying degrees of implant support afforded by SMS can help achieve a low complication and reoperation rate.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV] This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.