Explant Surgery

Intact removal preserves material for pathology and microbiologic analysis. The structured explant approach includes pathology, molecular microbiology, avoidance of unnecessary postoperative oral antibiotics, and enhanced recovery management. En bloc removal is not presented as always possible or necessary in every case. Leaving the capsule behind or incompletely sampling it may lose information about infection, biofilm, recurrent cancer, or implant-associated malignancy. The article favors removing the implant and capsule together when technically appropriate.