Implant Ruptured - Why Didn't Saline Reabsorb?

asked 1 year ago by minnie57 in texas
Latest answer by Steven Wallach, MD
Question viewed 385 times
Tags: saline implants, rupture

i had my saline implant removed and replaced today-the saline had not reabsorbed. why? The implant was quite deflated and had been for some time. The valve WAS poking up and irritating the tissue. The implant was slouched down in the base of the boob area, however, it did not look deflated at all and the surgeon found unabsorbed saline in the cavity. The 1st time this happened (other side-1yr.ago)the boob deflated in 1 day. Also, cld the unabsorbed saline hv stressed my renal system both times? I've nvr had this type of bladder/kidney symptoms before or since. I know it's strange.

6 answers to Implant Ruptured - Why Didn't Saline Reabsorb?

Rupture implant

You are correct in wondering why the saline was not resorbed. Usually when a saline implant ruptures, the body absorbs the saline. Maybe you had an inflammatory situation within the capsule that developed a seroma of sorts?

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Sounds like a seroma, not necessarily unabsorbed saline solution.

Although they are quite rare, slow leaks of saline implants do occur and it is usually around the fill valve. What the patients experience is a slow deflation of the device. As a device deflates, the slowly leaking saline will absorb into the surrounding tissues. However, when the device deflates it also allows the surrounding capsule to shrink down. This activity can actually cause seroma fluid to accummulate within the breast capsule. That may have been what occurred in your case. more

Kevin Brenner, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Leaky Saline Implant Valves

It sounds like you may have a faulty valve that produced a slow leak instead of a rupture. It is unlikely that the saline has stressed your renal system. This system is made for handling salts and maintaining good mineral balance. The saline in implants does represent a "high" salt load so the kidneys would handle the leaking saline very easily. Dr. ES

Earl Stephenson Jr., MD, DDS
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Persistent fluid following rupture of a saline implant

I have seen saline remain in an implant and only leak when the implant is compressed. Generally any saline outside the implant but inside the capsule tends to get resolved unless there is inflammation. The inflammation can have many different causes including infection.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Confusion about the Saline Leaking from a Breast Implant

Regarding: "Implant Ruptured - Why Didn't Saline Reabsorb? i had my saline implant removed and replaced today-the saline had not reabsorbed. why? The implant was quite deflated and had been for some time. The valve WAS poking up and irritating the tissue. The implant was slouched down in the base of the boob area, however, it did not look deflated at all and the surgeon found unabsorbed saline in the cavity. The 1st time this happened (other side-1yr.ago)the boob deflated in 1... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Saline implant leaks can produce fluid collections

Every implant (of any type) is surrounded by a capsule. Typically, when a saline implant leaks within a capsule, there is some resorption of the saline. In your case, it sounds like the saline resorption was minimal, and you were left with a fluid collection (a seroma). I don't think there is a good explanation for this phenomenon, except to say that fluid collections reabsorb at varying rates. No big deal.

Scott Sattler, MD
Bellevue Plastic Surgeon

Ask a question

Get Free Email Updates