Preventing Breast Implant Rupture

While there is no guaranty that breast implants will last a lifetime, plastic surgeons have come up with different techniques to at least prolong the devices’ lifespan and lower the risk of implant rupture.

In the event of implant rupture, the only solution is a revision breast augmentation; this procedure may involve replacing the implants with new ones or removing them without any replacement.

Meanwhile, these are some of the basic rules which can help patients prevent or at least lower the risk of implant failure.

* Choosing silicone implants over the saline version

Currently available silicone breast implants are less likely to rupture than saline because they are not prone to sloshing and wrinkling which are known to affect the shell’s stability.  Another advantage is that the silicone gel does not evaporate (unlike the saline) which means the patients can maintain their breast volume unless in the event of rupture.

The latest version of silicone implants—which have a more cohesive silicone gel than the one currently used—is almost immune to implant failure.  However, these breast implants, called the gummy bear implants, are not yet approved in the US although these are already used in Europe and Canada.

* When using salinei mplants

Rippling, which can compromise the shell’s stability, can be prevented in saline implants by slightly overfilling them.  However, this should be carefully done because too much filler can cause abnormal pressure on the device.

On the other hand, underfilling saline implants only has negative results because it can cause creases, leading to weak areas in the shell.

* Avoiding high trauma to the breast

Modern breast implants are very strong although they are still subjected to the effects of physical force.  Impact from car collision, sports injuries, and accidental falls may compromise the shell’s stability or may even lead to rupture.

* Consider the implant placement

Some doctors say that submuscular implant placement (placing the device under the pec muscle) poses a slightly higher chance of shell damage than the subglandular technique (positioning the implants over the muscle).  A good compromise might be the subpectoral placement.

* Use of Keller Funnel technique

In this technique, plastic surgeons place the breastimplants in a cone-shaped device and then squeeze it so the implants are transferred into the breast pockets.  Doctors use less force in this method than if they push the devices using their fingers.