Abdominal displacement of breast filler after previous trans-umbilical breast augmentation (TUBA): a case report

BACKGROUND: Breast augmentation is one of the most commonly performed aesthetic procedures in the world. Aquafilling filler, since its introduction in 2005 has been used for breast or buttock augmentation in several countries. Aquafilling filler is composed of 2% polyacrylamide with 98% sodium chloride 0.9% solution, and is known to have a similar composition with polyacrylamide hydrogel (PAAG) filler, which is also related to a variety of complications. Although many studies have warned against the complications of aquafilling filler, it is still being used for aesthetic purposes. CASE DESCRIPTION: In this case report, we share our experience of a 36-year-old female patient complaining of smaller left breast and bulging mass in her left upper abdomen. She had a history of transumbilical breast augmentation (TUBA) 11 years prior, which she had had removed via the transumbilical incision 6 years ago. To compensate for the removal of implants, the patient had received large volumes of aquafilling filler injection 2 years after implant removal. Surprisingly, we found out that the filler in the left breast had displaced to the abdominal area. CONCLUSIONS: Accidently displacement may occur, especially in patients who have had previous procedures breaching the inframammary fold including TUBA. Therefore, it is required to observe carefully for those patients who have received breast augmentation or the breast filler injections.