22 Dec Understanding Rupture Risk: Are Silicone Or Saline Implants More Likely To Leak?
Risks And Benefits Of Implants
Breast augmentation allows women to achieve confidence with fuller, larger, more symmetrical breasts. Augmentation is one of the most popular surgeries, with more than 300,000 procedures performed in 2021 alone. While breast augmentation has several benefits, the surgery does carry some risks. Rupture is one complication that can occur, requiring revision surgery. The chances of an implant rupture may depend on the type of implant, so choosing wisely is important.
Saline or silicone?
The patient will choose between silicone and saline implants during a breast augmentation consultation. Saline implants are filled with a saltwater solution, while silicone implants are made of a thicker unique polymer. Saline implants are rounder, more customizable, and cost-effective. Silicone implants typically last longer and more closely mimic the shape and feel of natural breasts. Both are safe when properly inserted by an experienced surgeon. However, differences between saline and silicone implants make one of these options more likely to rupture under certain circumstances.
Understanding rupture risk
A rupture occurs when an implant breaks or leaks. Both saline and silicone implants can potentially rupture after insertion. Ruptures happen when small tears develop in the implant’s shell, causing leakage. The chance of implant damage increases over time. Surgeons must replace damaged implants as soon as possible to avoid complications. However, women can minimize the risk of rupture by choosing an implant with a lower rate of this complication.
Rupture risk of saline implants
Saline implants are recommended for women 18 and over due to the overall safety of the capsule. The implant has improved in durability over the years. However, there is still a risk of the outer shell rupturing due to injury or severe pressure. The valve that fills the implant after installation can also fail, causing the saline solution to leak. In a study reviewing ruptured implants, the timeframe for saline ruptures averaged 5.6 years compared to 12 years with silicone.
Rupture risk of silicone implants
Silicone implants are FDA-approved for women aged 22 and older. These implants are resilient and can withstand high amounts of pressure. At the same time, silicone implant leakages are much harder to detect. Saline ruptures can cause the implant to deflate. However, silicone ruptures may not affect the capsule’s shape. These leakages can cause pain and mild swelling, requiring revision surgery. The risk of rupture for both implant types increases with age.
Which is better?
Breast implant patients should know about the rupture risk associated with silicone and saline implants before having an augmentation done. Both silicone and saline implants have a rupture risk, which increases over time. Saline rupture risk increases by 1 % every year. Silicone rupture rates are lower but may need occasional MRI scans for detection. A surgeon can assess the specific needs of the patient and decide on the best implant.