Purpose Statement:

Implant infection can be a devastating setback to the patient and physician, often setting reconstruction back six months. We demonstrate a system that salvages a failing implant via a suction irrigation system, thus offering little interruption to the reconstructive schedule.

Methods:

Patients were chosen on the degree of infection. When cellulitis did not resolve with antibiotics, a capsulotomy was performed to gain implant access. Cultures were obtained. The pocket was lavaged with Bacitracin-infused normal saline. Two drains were placed, superiorly and inferiorly within the pocket, and the wound closed in layers. Continuous infusion of Bacitracin (50,000 u/L normal saline) was continued for 48 hours through the inferior drain with the superior drain placed to wall suction. Warning labels were placed to prevent accidental infusions. Patients were discharged on appropriate antibiotics with both drains to bulb suction.

Results:

Six patients with submuscular implants were treated over five years. Of these, one failed treatment and required implant removal. Of the remaining, two required subsequent implant removal, one for size reasons, the other for a painful capsule.

Conclusions:

With proper patient selection, infected implants can be salvaged with this minimally invasive approach, saving the patient both valuable time and emotional expense.