Biofilms and Breast Implants – Scientific Guidance to Prevention and Treatment Print

The ASERF Scientific Research Committee and Board of Directors are pleased to announce the following grant award:

Researcher: William P. Adams, Jr., MD

Grant Award: ASERF Interim Grant

Amount Awarded: $ 45,300

Project Name: Biofilms and Breast Implants – Scientific Guidance to Prevention and Treatment

Project Summary: Breast implant based procedures remains one of the most popular cosmetic procedures performed by plastic surgeons. For the past 20 years, we have previously studied and described methods to optimize breast pocket irrigation. In a recent preliminary ASERF study (submitted to ASJ) we studied the in vitro efficacy of different irrigating agents on planktonic bacteria.  In the past 10 years the morbidity of biofilm mediated implant  infection has become front and center, particularly with the evolving story related to the pathogenesis of breast implant associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma. 

The efficacy of popular clinical agents is not well studied nor understood, specifically as they pertain to their effect on biofilm, and when an anti-biofilm effect outweighs anti-planktonic activity. The critical knowledge gap is how to not only prev

The purpose of this study is:

1. Scientifically evaluate different breast implant irrigating agents specifically for biofilm prevention

2. Evaluate the same agents for established biofilm eradication