Intrathoracic Migration of a Silicone Breast Implant 5 Months After Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery

Abstract

A 72-year-old woman, who had previous bilateral reconstruction mammoplasty, underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for a right middle lobe pulmonary carcinoid. Five months after her surgery, the patient noticed an acute pronounced reduction in her right breast volume, with shortness of breath and cough. A computed tomography study of the chest revealed intrathoracic migration and rupture of her right breast implant, with associated silicone thorax. Subsequent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery confirmed this diagnosis.