Breastfeeding difficulty after polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) mediated breast augmentation

INTRODUCTION: Breast augmentation using polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) has been routinely used in the past as a minimal invasive procedure. However, several patients undergoing this procedure have started to report complications. We report a case of breast augmentation using PAAG leading to a delayed infection and breastfeeding complication.

CLINICAL CASE: A 36-year-old Danish female who was treated with PAAG fifteen years earlier, presented with difficulty in breastfeeding and fistulation. Clinical evaluation revealed structural deformity of the right breast and a 5×5mm skin defect. Mammography showed diffuse microcalcification density grade 4. Ultrasound and MRI displayed inhomogeneous gelatinous material in both breasts diffused into the pectoralis major muscle. Initial management involved aspiration of the material. The patient developed infection and was subjected to modified radical debridement removing the PAAG. The patient healed without any further complications.

DISCUSSION: The prevalence of PAAG mediated breast augmentation related complications are increasing. The most prominent complication being late infections, breast hardening and subsequent breastfeeding difficulties. In this case, the difficulty in breastfeeding was induced by the PAAG within the breast tissue. The inhomogeneous gelatinous material was surgically removed leading to complete remission.

CONCLUSION: Long-term complications, among others breast feeding difficulty, in women treated with PAAG are increasing and need appropriate management strategy. PAAG mediated breast augmentation may cause irreversible damage to the breast in healthy women necessitating complex debridement.