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capsular contracture
noun
: contracture involving a capsule or capsule-shaped structure
specifically
: shrinking and tightening of the mass of scar tissue around a breast implant that occurs especially with some silicone implants and may result in pain and in unnatural firmness and distortion of the breast
Examples of capsular contracture in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
One exception is a complication called capsular contracture, which occurs when tough scar tissue forms around a breast implant; these cases are slower to develop, and are covered for 18 months following breast augmentation surgery.
—Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 16 Oct. 2024
Complication insurance will cover costs related to the removal of the breast implant if a capsular contracture is diagnosed within that first year and a half (and operated on within two years) but is yet unable to cover a revisional surgery.
—Brennan Kilbane, Allure, 16 Oct. 2024
Back then, the technique was associated with high rates of capsular contracture and implant visibility.
—Jolene Edgar, Allure, 8 Aug. 2024
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Word History
First Known Use
1948, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of capsular contracture was
in 1948
Dictionary Entries Near capsular contracture
Cite this Entry
“Capsular contracture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/capsular%20contracture. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
Medical Definition
capsular contracture
noun
: contracture involving a capsule or capsule-shaped structure
It is important, however, not to ignore the presence of osteophytes or capsular contractures since simply removing the loose bodies does not help patients with these diagnoses.—Champ L. Baker, Jr. and Grant L. Jones, The American Journal of Sports Medicine
specifically
: shrinking and tightening of the mass of scar tissue around a breast implant that occurs especially with some silicone implants and may result in pain and in unnatural firmness and distortion of the breast
As we now know, within two to four years of receiving a silicone implant, nearly 70 percent of patients suffer capsular contracture, a hardening of the scar tissue around the implant, which squeezes the implant into a hard disk. —Ms.
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