Late Seroma During Pregnancy After Breast Augmentation | Dr. Daniel Gould

Dr. Daniel Gould co-authored this case report published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery, documenting a rare case of late seroma developing around a breast implant during pregnancy.

Late seroma refers to the accumulation of fluid around a breast implant well after the initial surgical recovery period. Because delayed breast swelling can have several potential causes, careful evaluation is necessary to distinguish a seroma from infection, other fluid collections, or more serious underlying conditions.

The report describes a 29-year-old woman with a history of breast augmentation who developed significant swelling of one breast during a pregnancy complicated by placental abruption. Clinical testing was performed to investigate potential causes, including infection, galactocele, and malignancy.

Fluid surrounding the implant was aspirated and analyzed, with no infectious organism or malignant cells identified. Despite initial drainage, the swelling and discomfort later returned, and repeat imaging confirmed recurrent fluid accumulation around the implant.

Surgical exploration and capsulectomy ultimately revealed a double capsule surrounding the implant with an associated seroma. The case provided an opportunity to examine both the presentation and surgical management of this unusual breast implant complication.

The authors identified this as the first known report of pregnancy-associated late implant seroma at the time of publication, contributing to the clinical understanding of delayed fluid collections following prosthetic breast augmentation.