What is symmastia? What causes it and is it possible to repair it?
How often does it happen?
Anna

Dear Anna,
  Symmastia describes the situation wherein the implant cavities become continuous across the
midline, and the implants come into contact with each other. From the outside, the skin of the
breastbone becomes lifted up and the shape is like a dumbbell.
  It is only rarely seen. I discussed this with two senior colleagues in the spring, one of whom had
treated one case in his career and the other had not. It is due to over development of the medial
central portion of the pocket such that the skin of the sternum (breast bone) lifts, allowing the
space/pocket of the two sides to connect.
  Treatment involves removal of the implants and partial capsule removal so as to allow the skin to
heal back down. This may require leaving the implants out for several months to allow healing
without pressure on the repair; the decision as to immediately replace the implants or to leave them
out until solid healing has occurred will be based on the individual case. Use of a smaller implant
size may be advisable.
Dr. Benjamin Gelfant, M.D., F.R.C.S.C
www.gelfant.com