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