Breast augmentation has long been the leading cosmetic surgery. Breast implants are becoming more common and safer every day. However, all types of breast implants have a silicone outer shell that can get a tear or hole, called a rupture. Saline implants also have a valve that can fail and cause a leak. The chance of your implant rupturing or leaking increases over time due to the natural wear and tear of the materials. Therefore, many people have concerns about what happens when breast implants rupture, the risks and precautions. In this note, we will address that important issue.

Causes, signs and symptoms of what happens when breast implants rupture

Implant rupture can occur due to normal aging of the implant, trauma from a car accident, insertion of a needle during a biopsy, or other factors. In a 2013 study, researchers analyzed recovery data for the most commonly used implants and found that between 51% and 64% of silicone implant ruptures were due to damage caused by surgical instruments during the initial implant surgery. implant. For this reason, it is essential that the placement of implants is carried out by experienced professionals such as Dr. Anne-Sophie Lessard, so that this risk is not a problem.

When a saline implant ruptures or its valve fails, the saline leaks out quickly – usually over the course of a few days – and the breast appears somewhat deflated, so that you know immediately that it has broken. The body absorbs salt water, this is not a big problem. Instead, what happens when silicone breast implants rupture implies that the gel begins to spread throughout the body, since it is not absorbed. The gel comes out more slowly because it is thicker, so it may take longer for you to realize that the implant has ruptured, or you may not realize it at all.

Liquid silicone gel implants sold in the United States before 1992 are more likely to leak beyond the capsule of scar tissue surrounding the implant if it ruptures. Liquid silicone gel can spread to other parts of the body, such as the lymph nodes or lungs. The body can react to the silicone by forming more scar tissue, which can be uncomfortable or cause a deformation of the breast shape. In relatively rare cases, lumps called silicone granulomas can form on the arm, armpit, chest area, or elsewhere on the body.

Since 2006, silicone implants sold in the United States have a thicker shell and a more cohesive gel fill. If these implants rupture, they tend to develop a shell tear (also known as a “gel fracture”), which can compromise the shape and appearance of the implant.

Signs of what happens when breast implants rupture can include changes in the shape and size of the breast, and increased pain, firmness, and swelling over a period of time of weeks. Rupture can also cause capsular contracture. Rupture of silicone implants that does not cause any noticeable symptoms is known as “silent rupture.”

Detection of ruptured breast implants

The FDA recommends that people with silicone breast implants have an MRI to detect “silent rupture” 3 years after initial implant surgery and every 2 years since then. This control is essential to detect injuries that are not obvious but can have consequences on the body.

If at any time you think your implant may have ruptured, make an appointment with Dr. Sophie to have it checked out. An imaging test, such as an ultrasound or MRI, can help determine if an implant is leaking. MRI (using equipment specifically esigned to image the breast) is considered the most accurate imaging test for this purpose. However, as with any imaging test, there is some risk that the results may not be accurate: a tear may not show up, or an intact implant may appear to be broken on an MRI.

Corrective surgery that happens when breast implants rupture

What happens when breast implants rupture? The simple answer is that they must be removed surgically. In some cases, the scar tissue capsule surrounding the implant will also be removed or the capsule will simply be opened through small incisions. If you have implants in both breasts, in most cases both will be removed, even if only one has ruptured, to maintain symmetry and evenness in the implants. When a silicone implant has leaked beyond the capsule, any material that has leaked will also be removed.

Usually, if you have decided that you want new implants, these can be placed during the same procedure. In some cases, it is possible that it is suggested to change the type of implant for another, or to use ones of a different size or shape, according to the taste and the suggestion of the professionals.

In short, although the risk is not too great, there are some causes that can cause breast implants to rupture, including wear and tear itself. Carrying out periodic controls is the best way to prevent. However, it is good to know what happens when breast implants rupture, as this possibility always exists. Dr. Anne-Sophie Lessard is an expert surgeon who can solve all the doubts she has about it. She is able to place her implants precisely to minimize risks, remove damaged implants and replace them with new ones. Do not hesitate to take a turn to give her figure a new look.