A new instrument for performing an open capsulotomy in the transaxillary submuscular approach.

A new way to perform a safe and predictable open capsulotomy is presented. A capsular contracture occurring after a subpectoral breast augmentation can not be handled with a closed capsulotomy. A patient who has a nicely healed scar in the axilla after a previous breast augmentation is likely not very interested in having a new scar added on the breast from a capsulotomy. Therefore, the author tried to handle this through the old axillary scar. In many cases the capsulotomy can be accomplished with a blunt dissector, but when this is not enough, the capsule has to be cut open with a sharp instrument. Such an instrument for this purpose was not on the market. This has lead to the new design of one.