Hidden Inflammation Around Breast Implants

KREMS, Austria - May 6, 2026 - PRLog -- A new study suggests that breast implant complications are often not just mechanical events, but may be linked to slow biological changes in the surrounding (peri-implant) tissue over time. Researchers found that microbial contamination and peri-implant inflammation were associated with higher complication rates, particularly implant rupture. The prospective analysis covered well over 600 samples from 125 implant revisions in nearly 100 patients. Conducted by Karl Landsteiner University (KL Krems) the work helps explain more clearly why implants may fail. For KL Krems the findings underscore the need to look beyond visible damage and to consider low-grade inflammatory changes that may influence implant safety over the long term.

Breast implants are widely used both after breast cancer surgery and for cosmetic augmentation. Yet even when operations proceed according to established standards, complications such as capsular contracture (hardening of the scar tissue around the implant), rupture or pain may occur years later. It has been less clear, however, to what extent silent bacterial contamination and chronic tissue irritation contribute to these problems. Researchers at KL Krems therefore examined implant capsules and surrounding tissue in detail, combining microbiological analyses with microscopic tissue assessment.

Original publication: Microbial Contamination–Mediated Inflammation Is a Major Contributor of Breast Implant Complications: Prospective Analysis of 631 Samples, C. Kerschbaumer: K.D. Bergmeister: G. Bartellas: M. Weber: B. Ströbele: M. Kitzwögerer: K.F. Schrögendorfer: T. Flores, Journal of Clinical Medicine 2026, 15, 2115, doi: 10.3390/jcm15062115. https://kris.kl.ac.at/en/publications/microbial-contaminationmediated-inflammation-is-a-major-contribut/

More on KL Krems research: https://www.kl.ac.at/en/research/research-blog

Scientific Contact

Dr. Tonatiuh Flores

Clinical Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery

University Hospital St. Pölten

Karl Landsteiner University

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