The outer silicone shell of a breast implant may rupture. This can happen over time depending on the manufacturing integrity of the silicone shell, due to traumatic chest injury or from medical treatment (such as breast biopsies).
In patients with a saline (salt water) filled implant, this is often noticed as a deflating breast as the saline is absorbed and can be very obvious. Saline filled implants are used very rarely nowadays.
In patients with silicone implants, many never notice if an implant is ruptured. If a patient experiences a change in shape this can represent a capsular contraction, ruptured implant or both.
This is because the tight capsule squeezes the implant which can also cause implant rippling which can cause weak points in the folded implants which can rupture. If there is a rupture, the silicone leak remains within the confines of the capsule most often. This is called an intracapsular rupture.
The outer silicone shell of a breast implant may rupture. This can happen over time depending on the manufacturing integrity of the silicone shell, due to traumatic chest injury or from medical treatment (such as breast biopsies).
In patients with a saline (salt water) filled implant, this is often noticed as a deflating breast as the saline is absorbed and can be very obvious. Saline filled implants are used very rarely nowadays.
In patients with silicone implants, many never notice if an implant is ruptured. If a patient experiences a change in shape this can represent a capsular contraction, ruptured implant or both.
This is because the tight capsule squeezes the implant which can also cause implant rippling which can cause weak points in the folded implants which can rupture. If there is a rupture, the silicone leak remains within the confines of the capsule most often. This is called an intracapsular rupture.
It is recommended that if you have undergone breast augmentation, you undergo an MRI scan every 3 years to exclude a ruptured implant. An MRI scan is the most accurate way of diagnoses an implant rupture.
The treatment for ruptured breast implants is similar to that of capsular contraction treatment. It involves surgical removal of the capsule, exchange of the existing ruptured implants for implants with lower risk of capsule development and rupture. It also often involves placing the implants in a new pocket underneath the muscle. An additional treatment may involve fat transfer to the breast with fat taken from liposuction from another part of the body.
If a patient wants to remove the implants completely without replacing them, they can opt for this. They must accept a smaller breast size and may require a breast lift with or without the addition of fat transfer.
