A majority of women with silicone gel breast implants were able to successfully establish breastfeeding, according to study results published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

The researchers conducted a prospective cohort study between April 2013 and July 2014 to measure the ability of patients with and without breast implants to breastfeed (exclusively or partially) at 30 days.

The study group included 100 patients who had undergone cosmetic breast implant surgery and had no history of abnormality associated with their surgery. One hundred women with no prior cosmetic breast surgery, hospitalized during the same period as the study group, were evaluated as a control group.

Mean age of the study group was 33 years (range, 19-42 years) and the mean age of the control group was 32 years (range, 22-44). Of the study group patients, 57 were primiparous and 43 were multiparous. The control group had 49 primiparous patients and 51 muliparous patients.

Exclusive or partial breastfeeding was established by 93% of the study group and 99% of the control group. Seven of the study group patients and one control patient did not continue breastfeeding at 30 days. There was a statistically significant difference favoring the control group for successful exclusive breastfeeding at 30 days (OR = 2.75, 95% CI, 1.54-4.98).

The researchers found no significant differences between patients with breast implants who had either submammary or areolar incision procedures at 30 days (OR = 0.18, 95% CI, 0.36-1.82).

“Plastic surgeons must perform correct evaluation and planning of the surgical technique, including incision type, placement site, and volume of the implant,” the researchers wrote. “They should advise and inform patients who are considering breast implant surgery about all the variables that can influence breastfeeding so that they can make a decision based on scientific studies.” 

Source: www.helia.com