There are two types of breast implant, the silicone gel and the saline breast implant. Both have silicone elastomer shell but the saline breast implant has salt water solution inside. Both and even all breast implant will eventually break. As your implant gets older, the more it will likely to rupture. To answer this problem, experts agree to have an ‘Explantation’ (the removal the ruptured implant) immediately, particularly if it contains silicone gel. Here is some information that might be useful in determining if you have a ruptured breast implant.
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Saline Breast Implant
Saline breast implant utilizes salt water solution to enhance breast volume. When a saline breast implant breaks, it is very noticeable. This is because the salt water solution leaks very quickly. The breast implant deflates and the breast will eventually change in size or shape in a short period of time. So this will not need an MRI or other imaging technique. The body will absorb the leaking salt water solution and this is not harmful unless it has a fungal or bacterial infection inside the implant or if it has a non-sterile saline solution from the implant.
Silicone Gel Breast Implant
When a silicone gel breast implant breaks, it is not obvious like the saline breast implant. This is because silicone gel leaks slowly. In most cases, the leak migrates to the scar tissue capsule and builds around it. The scar tissue if not addressed may lead to pain and changes in the shape of the breast. In extreme cases, leaks may move to other parts of the body like lungs or other vital organs and the leak is impossible to remove. The longer the ruptured silicone gel implant stays in the breast, the more time the leak can travel in other parts of the body. Fibromyalgia, a pain disorder, was also reported by women with leaking silicone implant, as studied by the FDA.
Change in size or shape of the breast, pain, swelling, numbness, burning or tingling sensations are some signs and symptoms of a ruptured silicone gel breast implant. ‘Silent rupture’ is also highly possible when you don’t have these signs. To determine if you have a ruptured silicone gel breast implant, MRI is most likely the solution. Mammogram is not advisable because it might leak the content more as it squeezes the breast. The FDA advised women with silicone gel breast implant to undergo MRI after 3 years of the surgery, and every other year after to check for leaks.
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