Can fungus or bacteria grow inside a breast implant?

I heard a web report of bacterial or fungal growth in a saline implant. Can this happen with mentor silicone breast implants?

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8 answers to “Can fungus or bacteria grow inside a...”

A: Fungi in Saline and Silicone Implants?

By Darryl J. Blinski, MD - Miami Plastic Surgeon

Yes in saline, it has been reported in the Plastic Surgery literature. Though unlikely in silicone implants, the thought of 'never say never' applies. Hope this helps.

A: Can fungus or bacteria grow inside a breast implant?

By Peter A. Aldea, MD - Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Yes - this is THEORETICALLY possible especially when implants were filled step wise with syringes from an open bowl (open system). But even when does this way, this was a rarity which was publicized by a magazine article featuring a single Plastic surgeon in Georgia. Why was it so uncommon? Simply,... more

A: Breast Implants and fungal infection

By Otto Joseph Placik, MD - Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Yes this can happen and was typically associated with open filling of the implants. Currently, the risks of this developing have greatly diminished with the use of the closed system which is also known as the aseptic fill kit.

A: Silicone (and saline) breast implants are resistant to fungal growth, if handled well.

By Lavinia Chong, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

There was an epidemiological cluster in Southeast Texas or Louisiana, where saline implants, which were filled with an "open system" of irrigation saline poured into a surgical container. Apparently the prevalence of "spores" in these more humid environments may have been... more

A: Bacteria or fungus growth possible inside breast implants?

By John P. Di Saia, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Hello, While it is theoretically possible, I have never seen it happen in either silicone gel or saline-filled implants. Web reports are unfortunately impossible to verify.

A: Silicone Implants

By Darrick E. Antell, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

I have never personally seen this happen, nor do I have any colleagues who have personally seen it. I have however heard of such things happening with saline implants, but it would not be possible with a silicone filled implant. Silicone implants are filled at the factory, and sealed in a sterile... more

A: This shouldn't be possible with a silicone gel implant.

By Richard P. Rand, MD - Seattle Plastic Surgeon

I have heard of this in rare cases with saline implants when they are not filled using a sterile "closed system." However, I have never personally seen a case of it. Since the gel implants are filled and sterilized at the manufacturing plant, this shouldn't be a concern.

A: Silicone implants come prefilled, so no you cant have something grow "inside".

By Daniel C. Mills, MD - Orange County Plastic Surgeon

There were some reports early in our experience of Saline implants growing fungus in them because some plastic surgeons would pour saline in a bowl, and then fill the implant from there. We learned this early, and started having it be in a "closed system" by placing a 3 way stopcock on the... more

Comments

G.H. - Implant Patient
1 post
16 Apr 2009

After 5 years of having my silicon implants with no problems, one of my breasts started to get hard and big. After an MRI and other exams doctors told me I have an internal infection in my breast from some bacteria that was probably there since my surgery. So don't say it doesn't happen, because I'm living with a "rock" instead of a breast and I have to remove it eventually.

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