Mammary compliance: an objective measurement of capsular contracture.

Capsular contracture is the most unpredictable complication after mammary augmentation. It presents an uncertain evolution, and is one of the most difficulty complications to treat. Evaluation of this condition usually was relegated to the surgeon's judgment, but currently there are three methods for measuring capsular contracture: palpation, applanation tonometry, and measure of mammary compliance. A prospective study was conducted to evaluate the different methods for managing capsular contracture. Particular attention was paid to the measure mammary compliance with a new device: the Anton Paar Mammacompliance system. This study found a good match between clinical and objective measurements, and also between the measure of applanation tonometry and the measure of mammary compliance. The Anton Paar Mammacompliance system seems to be effective in eliminating the descriptive part and keeping to the measurements and objective data. It is easily reproducible in the various check ups. It permits objective assessment for the measure of capsular contracture.