An implant rupture can be caused by many things, including impact to the breast, surgical error, cracks that develop over time, or, rarely, pressure exerted during a mammogram. Both saline and silicone implants are equally vulnerable to implant rupture, though the implications differ for each type, as explained below.
It's widely thought that saline implants are harmless when they leak. However, saline implants are prone to mold, yeast and bacteria growth. Deterioration or damage to the implant's seal allows bacteria to grow inside the implant. This fluid can slowly leak out of the implant and spread throughout the body.
When a saline or silicone gel-filled implant has ruptured, the implant should be surgically removed. In some cases, your plastic surgeon will also remove the capsule of scar tissue surrounding the implant or just cut open the capsule by making small incisions.
Because silicone implants have a much more viscous filling than saline (which is just saltwater), rippling and wrinkling is much less of an issue with silicone, so even patients with minimal or thin breast tissue can enjoy a natural look.
According to the FDA, the longer a person leaves the implants in, the greater the risk for complications. The lifespan of implants vary, but only "few people may keep their original implants for 20 to 30 years," the FDA wrote. This patient's implants, shown above, were 40 years old, and one ruptured inside of the body.
Most silicone and saline implants are FDA approved for 10-20 years, but this does not mean that you have to get them replaced every 10-20 years. You can safely go beyond these time frames, and most patients only have to have 1-2 replacements in their lifetime.
An Institute of Medicine report last year found no link between silicone implants and autoimmune problems; so did a study reported in the New England Journal of Medicine earlier this month.
On average, today's implants are designed to last more than a decade, with the chance of rupture increasing by one percent each year. So, the older your implants are, the greater your risk of rupture or other complications. In many cases, breast implants can remain in good shape for 20 years or more.
Guys Who Love ImplantsThese men are unabashed about liking a generous but youthful looking bosom. They don't care if silicone or saline is involved in creating this effect. Most will admit that implants feel different to the touch; but they don't mind the difference in texture as long as the size appeals to them.
BII can occur with any type of breast implant, including silicone gel-filled, saline-filled, smooth surface, textured surface, round, or teardrop-shaped. BII impacts each individual in a unique way. Symptoms can include: joint and muscle pain.
Breast Implant CostSaline – Again, this is a general approximation, but saline implants tend to be the most cost effective. They can cost around $800 for a pair. Silicone – Most patients can expect silicone implants to cost about $1,000 more than saline–around $1,800 for a pair.
As a result, long-term effects may include the possibility of rupture of both saline and silicone implants, as well as encapsulation, referred to as capsular contracture. Specific changes to the breasts with both saline and silicone implant includes scar tissue formation around the implant referred to as a capsule.
Saline is also heavier than silicone and therefore causes more pull on the tissues. This can be a problem if you are going with a very large implant as it can stretch out the tissues leading to premature drooping.
As I mentioned earlier, breast implants don't have to be replaced unless they rupture or develop a capsular contracture. If a ruptured silicone implant is left in place, the silicone could cause inflammation that results in pain or the development of scar tissue (i.e. capsular contracture).
Dull skin and yellow eyes are two common physical symptoms of bad implants, and many people say that their skin clears up once the implants are removed.
In general, saline implants deflate around 10% to 12% of the time at ten years. This is not a straight line progression for 3 to 4 % may deflate in the first 3 years, and the deflation rate at 20 years is likely 30 % or more.
Studies have shown that some breast implants last much longer than that and others much less. Rupture isn't the only problem that requires surgery. Over time, breast implants can change shape. One breast might start to look very different from the other.
Breast augmentation in modern practiceIn the United States, breast implant rupture rates range from 1.1% to 17.7% at six to 10 years after primary augmentation, 2.9% to 14.7% after revision augmentation, 1.5% to 35.4% after primary breast reconstruction, and 0% to 19.6% after revision reconstruction.
Myth: Implants can rupture during a mammogram screening.Fact: It's rare to experience a rupture during a screening. The chances are even lower when you choose a facility that routinely screens women with implants.
No, not every ruptured silicone breast implant needs to be removed. It's important to differentiate the type of rupture; intra- or extra-capsular.
