• Arvind U Gowda, Karan Chopra, Emile N Brown, Sheri Slezak, and Yvonne Rasko.
• From the *Division of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, University of Maryland School of Medicine; and †Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, The Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
• Ann Plast Surg. 2017 Feb 1; 78 (2): 153-156.

BackgroundImplant-based breast reconstruction is commonly performed by plastic surgeons worldwide. Bacterial contamination is of paramount concern because of its role in biofilm formation and capsular contracture. Plastic surgeons have adopted a variety of perioperative interventions in efforts to reduce implant contamination; however, definitive evidence supporting these practices is lacking.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to assess current practice patterns aimed at reducing implant-related infections.MethodsA 20-question survey assessing practices aimed at preventing breast implant-associated infections was generated and distributed via SurveyMonkey to members of the American Society of Plastic Surgery whose e-mail addresses were listed on the American Society of Plastic Surgery member Web site in April 2015.ResultsA total of 1979 invitations to participate in the survey were sent, and 253 responses were received during the 4-month study period. Of respondents, 81% were in private practice. Respondents averaged 21 ± 9 years in practice, and 34 ± 50 implant-based breast reconstructions were performed per year. A majority of surgeons used chlorhexidine to prepare the surgical site (52%), a triple antibiotic soak for the implant prior to placement (50%) and povidone-iodine for implant pocket irrigation (44%). A no-touch technique utilizing the Keller funnel was adopted by 69% of surgeons. Regarding antibiotic use in the postoperative period, first-generation cephalosporins (eg, cephalexin, cefadroxil) were used by a majority of surgeons (84%), and the most common duration was until drain removal (45%).ConclusionsThere is considerable heterogeneity in surgical practices aimed at preventing bacterial contamination in implant-based breast reconstruction. Surgeons may benefit from high-level studies designed to create standardized evidence-based practice guidelines.

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