Treatment and Prevention of Periprosthetic Capsular Contracture in Breast Surgery With Prosthesis Using Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Capsular contracture (CC) is the most common long-term complication of breast surgery with prosthesis. Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LRAs) have been tested as a potential treatment; however, mixed results have been observed. Objectives The aim of this study was to undertake a meta-analysis to clarify the treatment and prophylactic capabilities of LRAs in the management of CC. Methods A systematic literature search of the most popular English-language databases was performed to identify relevant primary publications. We included all studies that used the Baker scale to evaluate the treatment and preventive capabilities of LRAs. Results Six eligible studies were included based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, totalling 2276 breasts, of which 775 did not receive LRAs and 1501 did. Final pooled results showed that LRAs could help manage CC with a risk difference (RD) of –0.38 with a corresponding 95% CI of –0.69 to –0.08, showing statistical significance at a Z value of 2.48, P = 0.01. Subgroup analysis based on the type of drug showed that only montelukast yielded statistical significance (RD = –0.27, 95% CI = –0.51 to –0.03, Z = 2.20, P = 0.03). Zafirlukast did not seem to influence CC. Further subgroup analysis based on treatment timing showed that prophylaxis was ineffective and only treatment for ongoing CC yielded statistically significant improvements. Conclusions The current meta-analysis proved that LRAs could be used in the management of CC. Only treatment for ongoing CC showed statistically significant improvements. Montelukast seemed to be more efficient with a safer profile for adverse effects, whereas zafirlukast yielded no statistically significant results. Level of Evidence: 4