Cohesive gel rupture, is it a life or death matter?

It is not a life and death matter, but that doesn't mean you should ignore this situation and ruptured implants should be removed as a standard of care practice. For silicone implants prior to 2006, ruptures occur at rates of approximately 1-2% per year for the first ten years then markedly increases after that time period. A rupture or deflation of the implant may be experienced at any point after the initial augmentation; this complication may be increased by an under-filling or overfilling of saline solution into the implant, excessive compression, trauma, and other causes. (If the implant shell if not filled with the correct amount of saline, there may be a crease or fold in the shell which often leads to a rupture). You will be able to self-diagnose the need for an implant exchange (if using a saline implant) because if the current implant ruptures, the breast will shrink to approximately its preoperative size. A silicone implant that has a rupture is usually noted on a routine mammogram or MRI scan. In either case although the situation needs to be corrected on a timely basis, it is not dangerous to your health from our current knowledge base. Silicone implants after 2006 are more cohesive and less likely to leak or have silicone migration. Although the newer implants are more cohesive they are still very sticky when ruptured and you do need a removal of the surrounding capsule (capsulectomy) if this happens vs simple implant replacement with saline implants.

Please relax and see her plastic surgeon for an examination and possible MRI to check for breast implant rupture.There is no evidence that a ruptured silicone gel breast implant can cause significant systemic disease.  Many patients live with many years with silicon breast implants which have ruptured.  Typically the breast implant capsule contains the rupture within the implant pocket.  NextPlease relax and see her plastic surgeon.

Thank you for your question.  No, a gel implant rupture is not a life or death matter.  It should be replaced, however.  Discuss this in person with your plastic surgeon. Best wishes.