Symbolic illustration of safer breast augmentation

Breast Augmentation Breakthrough: How Standardized Practices Reduce Complications

Mira Elwood in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"A new study reveals that a structured approach to breast augmentation can significantly lower the risk of post-operative issues, leading to safer and more satisfying outcomes for patients."

Breast augmentation remains one of the most sought-after cosmetic procedures worldwide. While advancements in surgical techniques and implant technology have improved outcomes, the potential for complications continues to be a concern for many patients. To address these concerns, a growing emphasis has been placed on developing standardized, systematic approaches that minimize risks and optimize patient satisfaction.

Several experts in the field have proposed structured methods for breast augmentation. These methods provide key principles and technical steps designed to guide surgeons through the entire process, from pre-operative planning to post-operative care. These approaches aim to reduce variability, improve predictability, and ultimately enhance patient safety and outcomes.

Now, a compelling new study sheds light on the effectiveness of standardized practices in breast augmentation. By comparing outcomes between patients who underwent surgery using a structured approach versus those who received non-standardized care, researchers have uncovered significant benefits that could reshape the future of breast augmentation.

The Power of Standardization: Understanding the Study

Symbolic illustration of safer breast augmentation

In a single-center, retrospective review, researchers analyzed data from 525 patients who underwent breast augmentation between April 2014 and September 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: a 'standardized surgery' group (290 patients) and a 'non-standardized surgery' group (235 patients). The standardized surgery group received breast augmentation following a systematic approach based on the "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues, starting in October 2016. The non-standardized surgery group underwent breast augmentation at the same center without the use of a standardized approach, prior to October 2016.

The standardized approach incorporated several key elements, including:

Preoperative Planning: Comprehensive measurements and assessments to inform implant selection and positioning.
Surgical Technique: Consistent use of an inframammary fold incision, dual-plane pocket placement, and meticulous hemostasis.
Antibiotic Protocol: Washing the implant and pocket with antibiotic solutions and administering systemic antibiotics.
Wound Closure: Multi-layered closure and avoidance of compressive patches.

The study revealed a significant reduction in complication rates among patients in the standardized surgery group. Overall, 14.5% of patients in the standardized group experienced complications, compared to 29.4% in the non-standardized group. This difference was statistically significant (p = 0.01041). The study also found that reoperation rates were significantly lower in the standardized surgery group (4.1% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.01145).

The Future of Breast Augmentation: A Call for Standardization

The findings of this study underscore the importance of adopting standardized practices in breast augmentation. By implementing a structured approach that encompasses comprehensive preoperative planning, meticulous surgical technique, and standardized protocols, surgeons can significantly reduce the risk of complications and improve patient outcomes. As the field of cosmetic surgery continues to evolve, standardization may become an increasingly vital component of ensuring patient safety and satisfaction.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1007/s00266-018-1291-y, Alternate LINK

Title: Standardized Practice Reduces Complications In Breast Augmentation: Results With The First 290 Consecutive Cases Versus Non-Standardized Comparators

Subject: Surgery

Journal: Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Adriano Santorelli, Ferdinando Rossano, Barbara Cagli, Stefano Avvedimento, Ali Ghanem, Sergio Marlino

Published: 2018-12-12

Everything You Need To Know

What did the study reveal about the impact of standardized practices on breast augmentation complication rates?

The study demonstrated that using a structured approach to breast augmentation significantly reduces complications. Patients who underwent surgery using standardized practices, such as the "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues, experienced a lower rate of complications (14.5%) compared to those receiving non-standardized care (29.4%). This included a notable decrease in the need for reoperation.

What are the key elements of a standardized approach to breast augmentation, as highlighted in the study?

The standardized approach in breast augmentation involves several key elements designed to minimize variability and improve predictability. These include comprehensive preoperative planning with measurements and assessments, consistent surgical techniques such as inframammary fold incision and dual-plane pocket placement, a specific antibiotic protocol involving implant and pocket washing, and meticulous multi-layered wound closure without compressive patches. These elements together contribute to a safer and more effective procedure.

What are the "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues, and why are they significant?

The "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues are structured methods designed to guide surgeons through breast augmentation. They provide key principles and technical steps from pre-operative planning to post-operative care. These methods aim to reduce variability, improve predictability, and ultimately enhance patient safety and outcomes.

What are the limitations of the study and what further research is needed to support the findings about standardized breast augmentation?

While this study highlights the benefits of standardized practices like the "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues, it's important to acknowledge its limitations as a single-center, retrospective review. Future research should include multi-center, prospective studies to validate these findings across diverse patient populations and surgical settings. Additionally, further investigation is needed to determine the specific components of standardized approaches that contribute most significantly to complication reduction.

Beyond the immediate results, what are the broader implications of adopting standardized practices, like the "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues, in breast augmentation for the field of cosmetic surgery and patient outcomes?

The shift towards standardized practices in breast augmentation, such as those outlined in the "five P's" of Randquist and the 14-point plan of Adams and colleagues, has broader implications for patient safety and satisfaction in cosmetic surgery. By reducing variability and improving predictability, these approaches not only minimize the risk of complications but also empower patients with more realistic expectations and confidence in their surgical outcomes. This emphasis on standardization may also influence training programs, encouraging surgeons to adopt systematic methods and continuously refine their techniques based on evidence-based practices.