Ruptured Implants and Leaking Silicone, SHould They Be Removed?

asked 6 months ago by grapes in Sydney, 02
Latest answer by Tom J. Pousti, MD
Question viewed 149 times
Tags: silicone implant, leak, recommendation, rupture

My breast implants have ruptured, confirmed by a mammogram, which was discovered that the silicone has gone into the milk ducts. Does this need to be removed. My new surgeon just suggests to remove the old implants and put new ones in. I am worried about the silicone in the actual breast tissue.

4 answers to Ruptured Implants and Leaking Silicone, SHould They Be Removed?

Ruptured Silicone Gel Implant Treatment?

Thank you for the question. I'm sorry to hear about the complication you are experiencing. Generally, I would agree with your surgeon's plan. Trying to remove all silicone material identified by mammography or MRI may result in you having a mastectomy or otherwise significantly deforming operation. Although not a perfect solution, you may be better off simply removing as much of the silicone material as possible (without deforming the breasts) and be re-augmenting... more

Tom J. Pousti, MD
San Diego Plastic Surgeon

Some of the silicone may not be removed

This is a very tough situation for the surgeon. Removing the ruptured implant can be accomplished. What the mammogram says about migrating silicone may or may not have any bearing on what the surgeon will find. In general if this is an older implant that was made before the newest generation of cohesive styles came along then it might be that some of the particles have indeed moved out of the scar capsule. Your surgeon will do all they can to remove them but there is... more

Phillip C. Haeck, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured silicone implants

Ruptured silicone implants can be intracapsular or extracapsular. Your case seems to be extracapsular rupture with silicone in the breast tissue. The ruptured implant needs to be removed, grosslt identified silicone can be removed. Then you have the option of no replacement, or replace with silicone implant os saline implant.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon