Capsular
contracture is a distressing complication after breast augmentation for both the patient and surgeon. Although capsular
contracture is a multifactorial process, one common denominator in the successful treatment of this complication is believed to be the abatement of
inflammation.
Leukotriene antagonists have recently emerged as effective prophylactic agents in reactive airway diseases. A prospective study was carried out on 60 female patients (120
prostheses implanted) with mild/severe capsular
contracture in at least one breast. The hardness of capsular
contracture was assessed by means of the mammary compliance method. Patients received
zafirlukast (
Accolate®) for a 6-month period. Mammary compliance was assessed at the start of the study and thereafter monthly, during
drug intake and for one year after
drug withdrawal. The results show a significant decrease in breast compliance values in the first 6 months, followed by a significant increase one year after the end of
drug intake. Indeed,
zafirlukast-treated patients displayed a 6.93 percent reduction in mammary compliance after 1 month, 14.42 percent after 3 months, 22.05 percent after 6 months and 22.52 percent after 7 months (1 month after the withdrawal of the
drug). Thereafter, mammary compliance values gradually increased. A 5.47 percent reduction in mammary compliance was observed 1 year after
drug withdrawal. The present study suggests that
zafirlukast may be effective in reducing breast
capsule distortion in patients with long-standing
contracture, though reduced capsular
contracture values are strictly related to the duration of
drug intake.