Background and objective.

In women, breast augmentation is the most performed aesthetic surgical procedure in the world. Galactorrhea is a rare complication after breast augmentation with implants, with an incidence of 0.96% and only 38 cases reported in the most recent systematic review of 2021, although with possible highly significant short- and long-term consequences.

We present our series of cases of galactorrhea associated with the placement of breast implants and review the publications on the subject to understand the pathophysiology and thus establish a protocol or guideline for timely and effective prevention, diagnosis and treatment in these cases.

Methods.

A documentary and photographic retrospective review of our 5-year experience with primary breast augmentation and galactorrhea was carried out, as well as a search in PubMed, Embase and Academic Google with the keywords in English: Galactorrhea, Galactocele, Breast augmentation, Augmentation mammoplasty, Breast implants adverse effects.

Results:

Between 2015 and 2020, in our clinic in Mexico City, 2.232 breast augmentation procedures were performed, of which we evidenced galactorrhea / galactocele in 7 patients (0.31% incidence), who required a more complex diagnostic strategy and pharmacological / surgical treatment. In the search for information in the literature we found 20 articles: 17 case series, 2 retrospective reviews and 1 systematic review.

Conclusions.

With the available information, existing evidence, and our experience we propose a simple and complete guideline for the determination of preoperative risk factors, diagnostic approach and effective therapeutic levels to reduce the possible short and long-term complications of surgery in galactorrhea / galactocele associated with breast augmentation with implants.

Level of evidence Diagnostic 5c

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