The Potential for Silicone Implant Rupture
The fact that silicone is safe for use inside the body is not in dispute. What remains an understandable concern for some is implant rupture. How often does it happen? How do you know if a silicone implant ruptures? What happens then? For answers to all your questions, come in to talk with one of our surgeons and save up to $150 on your consultation at select times when you request online.
Currently-Approved Silicone Implants
It's fortunate that silicone gel filled breast implants have been consistently available to women outside the U.S. for many years. Most of the information about implant ruptures comes from European studies.
For the currently-approved, third/fourth generation implants, the two largest manufacturers offer similar information. One company reports a rupture rate for primary augmentation patients of about 3% in an average of 4 years of implantation time, and about 15% in about 11 years. The other's studies show 0.5% in three years and about 10% in 9 years.
When silicone breast implants rupture, the filling usually stays within the breast scar tissue pocket, or capsule. A study of Danish women with third/fourth generation ruptured silicone gel implants supports this fact, showing silicone migration in only about a quarter of cases. Further, for the three quarters of women with a rupture inside the capsule, only about 10% experienced eventual silicone migration outside the scar tissue pocket. About half those women had experienced recent trauma to the breast or mammography, which may explain some of these findings.
When silicone implants rupture, most women aren't aware shell failure has occurred. And studies show even experienced physicians are able to detect a rupture less than half the time. This is the reason the FDA calls these incidents "silent ruptures" and recommends women have periodic MRIs to check for them. When a rupture is detected, the manufacturers recommend patients have their implants removed. Though it has not been shown to cause disease, silicone outside the implant shell can lead to lumps, breast hardness and even pain, and it can cause tumor false alarms.
Silicone Implants Under Study
Performance information on the latest generation of silicone implants, the devices most often called gummy bears, is still scarce, but most physicians anticipate good news as long-term study results become available. The form-stable implants don't wrinkle or fold, and since wrinkles and folds contribute to shell failure it's thought that gummy bears will prove to have a longevity advantage.
A Swedish study of one of the new, form-stable implants seems to bear this out. In 144 women studied, a rupture rate of less than 1% within a 5 to 9 year implantation time range was observed.
It's also likely future studies will show that gummy bear implant ruptures, when they do occur, don't lead to silicone migration. Just think about it for a moment. What happens when you cut a gummy bear? Not much. No loss of shape, no oozing.
In a 2004 Los Angeles Times article on silicone gel implants, Dr. Stevens and other physicians express their enthusiasm for the latest generation of silicone breast implants, suggesting they may go a long way toward eliminating rupture and silicone migration issues. That the surgeons look forward to FDA approval of these implants is an understatement.
If you'd like to poke, pull and squeeze silicone implants and learn more about the durability of these devices, just request a FREE consultation at one of the times Dr. Stevens or Dr. Stoker has set aside exclusively for Web visitors. They'll be happy to give you the opportunity to judge for yourself.
