| t augmentation surgery is an extremely popular | | | | Over time, almost all implants will eventually leak. In fact, |
| procedure, with over 1% (about 1-2 million) of American | | | | according to a recent comprehensive study of women |
| women having had breast implant surgery during their | | | | with silicone breast implants, the average lifespan |
| lifetimes. Women elect to undergo breast | | | | (before rupturing) of a SGBI is about 16 years. |
| augmentation surgery for any number of reasons, | | | | Intracapsular Rupture In Silicone Breast Implants |
| including for medical and for purely aesthetic ones. | | | | There are two main types of rupture or leakages of |
| One of the most popular types of materials used for | | | | silicone gel implants: intracapsular rupture and |
| breast augmentation is the silicone gel breast implant | | | | extracapsular rupture. |
| (SGBI). There are essentially two types of SGBI:a. | | | | Intracapsular rupture happens when some or all of the |
| single lumen: this variety consists of a silicone shell | | | | gel leaks past the silicone shell of the implant but stays |
| (either textured or smooth) which contains free silicone | | | | within the fibrous capture that has formed around it. |
| gelb. double lumen: the double lumen variety has a | | | | By contrast, an extracapsular rupture is when the free |
| saline-filled outer shell and a silicone gel-filled inner shell | | | | silicone gel escapes through the capsule and into the |
| Two Locations For Placing An Implant In The Body | | | | breast tissue. In some cases, the gel may migrate into |
| Implants can generally be placed in one of two places | | | | the lymph nodes as well. |
| in the body. The first, called the subglandular implant, | | | | Fortunately, there are no recorded cases or conclusive |
| involves placing it just in front of (anterior to) the | | | | medical studies indicating that illness or death has ever |
| pectoralis muscle. It is the easiest to carry out surgically | | | | resulted from leaked silicone gel. Thus, while |
| and may be less likely to rupture down the road. | | | | inconvenient, leakage is not something to be worried |
| In the case of the second type - called the subpectoral | | | | about from a medical perspective. |
| implant - the implant is placed just behind (posterior to) | | | | Detection And Treatment After Intracapsular Rupture |
| the pectoralis muscle. This location is more complicated | | | | How can you tell if your implant has leaked? Most |
| to carry out surgically, and subpectoral implants may | | | | women will notice that one or both implants look |
| be more likely to rupture. However, the subpectoral | | | | deflated or feel different to the touch than they used |
| implant offers some benefits, including a lower | | | | to. This can be a possible sign of leakage. To confirm |
| incidence of capsular contracture (see below) and a | | | | whether your implant has leaked, it is best to seek an |
| less visible scar. | | | | examination from your doctor. Examinations are |
| The Formation Of A Capsule Around The Implant | | | | usually performed using MRI, ultrasound, computed |
| Regardless of the location of the implant that the | | | | tomography (CT) scanning, or mammography. |
| doctor and patient elect to go move forward with, in | | | | If a doctor's examination indicates that one or both of |
| either case it is very likely that a fibrous capsule will | | | | your implants have leaked, your best option for |
| form around the implant sometime after surgery. This | | | | rectifying the situation is to undergo another implant |
| process is called encapsulation. For some women the | | | | surgery. In such a procedure, the doctor removes the |
| capsule is soft and malleable, while for others it is hard | | | | leaked silicone and ruptured shell. And, if the patient |
| and resistant. | | | | desires it, the doctor can also insert a fresh pair of |
| All Implants Can Leak Eventually | | | | implants. |