En bloc removal of your breast implant and breast capsule has gained popularity as a technique for removing breast implants and the surrounding breast capsule. An en-bloc approach involves removing the entire implant and its surrounding capsule in one piece. To achieve this, the scar needs to be longer because the entire implant and capsule are large when taken together. Unlike your breast implant, which could be “squeezed” into the pocket, the en bloc specimen can not be taken out through an incision of the same size.
The studies do not show any improvement in breast implant illness symptoms when the implants are removed en bloc versus the two other common treatment options, namely:
- Separate implant and capsule removal
- Implant removal alone (and leaving the capsule)
An en bloc removal also puts risk on the chest wall and lungs. The lung can be injured while removing the posterior part of the capsule if your implants are under the muscle.
For these reasons, I generally do not advocate for en bloc removal; instead, I remove part or all of the capsule (capsulectomy) and—of course—all of the implant.