Guide to Breast Augmentation & Breast Implant - Causes and Symptoms of Rupture / Deflation

Causes and Symptoms of Rupture / Deflation

Rupture/deflation is a serious complication that can occur after breast augmentation. When there is a break in the shell of the breast implants or an unsealed or damaged valve leaks, the result is rupture/deflation. Rupture/deflation has different characteristics depending on whether it occurs with saline or silicone implants. This serious complication can occur just a few months after the breast augmentation surgery or it may occur after ten or more years of having implants.

Risk Level
Medical studies have not been able to pinpoint the exact level of risk posed by rupture/deflation. Much of the reason for such a large range is that the risk of rupture/deflation depends on the type of implant and several other factors. In 1995, the

commissioner of the FDA testified before a congressional committee that the risk of rupture/deflation is between five and fifty-one percent. Other recent sources estimate that the risk is somewhere between seven and seventy-seven percent. Manufacturer’s studies claim the risk of rupture/deflation is about ten percent over ten years.

Causes of Rupture / Deflation

There are certain activities that are contraindicated, or not recommended, because they can cause rupture/deflation.

closed capsulotomy - a procedure to treat capsular contracture
placing any substance besides saline into saline implants
injecting through the implant shell
altering the implants in any way
placing more than one implant into the pocket created during breast augmentation surgery

There are several possible reasons that rupture/deflation :

Over-handling of the implants during surgery, particularly the TUBA technique, can compromise the implants and increase the risk of rupture/deflation.
Surgical instruments may also damage the implants during breast augmentation surgery. Over or under filling of the breast implants may also lead to rupture/deflation.
Capsular contracture
Physical pressure or trauma
Compression during a mammogram
Damage related to other medical procedures like a biopsy or fluid drainage

Normal aging of the implants also increases the risk of rupture/deflation.

Symptoms of Rupture / Deflation
Rupture/deflation in saline implants usually happens immediately or may take a few days to occur. When saline implants rupture or deflate it is noticeable to the woman. Her breast will look “deflated” and/or the size and shape of her breast will change. Silent ruptures, without any symptoms, are more common with silicone implants. When a silicone rupture/deflation occurs, the gel may stay within the capsule or may slowly leak to surrounding areas such as the chest wall, armpit, and even make its way to organs like the liver. Without symptoms, the only way to tell that a silicone implant has ruptured is to have an MRI performed. It is unclear exactly what health complications are caused by the presence of silicone in the body.

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Causes and Symptoms of Rupture / Deflation

Information for Performed, Costs, Doctors, Photo
and others to Breast Augmentation and Breast Implant.