From Aesthetic Breast Augmentation to Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Escaping Death: Why Plastic Surgery Specialty Training and an Ideal Setting Matter

Summary:

Breast augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure that is generally considered safe. However, the rising trend of nonspecialists performing these procedures has increased the risk of complications, including rare but serious acute bleeding. We present a case of a healthy 22-year-old patient who experienced acute bleeding after bilateral breast augmentation by a nonplastic surgeon, resulting in massive hypovolemic shock that required 27 packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusions and led to acute cardiopulmonary failure. The patient had 2 cardiac arrests, necessitating resuscitation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, which was removed after 6 days. An emergency surgical revision was performed to remove the breast implants for effective hemostasis. This case highlights the significant risks associated with cosmetic breast procedures and emphasizes the importance of early surgical intervention in cases of acute bleeding. Patients should be made aware of these risks, and cosmetic surgery should only be performed by trained specialists.