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Silicone Implants Ruptured, Leaked into Lymph Nodes

asked 1 year ago by nanic54 in Oklahoma City, OK
Latest answer by Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Question viewed 1,538 times
Tags: silicone implant, leak, lymph node

I had my silicone implants put in, in 1988 under the muscle. I discoved after a mammogram about 2 weeks ago that they are both ruptured and have leaked through the capsule. Supposedly, they have been leaking for a few years. Can the silicone be completely removed from my lymph node and my chest wall? If not, what happens to the silicone that is left behind?

15 answers to Silicone Implants Ruptured, Leaked into Lymph Nodes

Ruptured Silicone Implants leaking into Lymph Nodes - Recommendations

Ruptured Silicone Implants should be removed and replaced. Typically removal of the surrounding capsule (Capsulectomy) is also performed to remove traces of silicone. En bloc simply is a Latin term for "the whole thing".The likelihood of this happening would be more likely prior to 2006 especially after trauma. After 2006 silicone implants were all more cohesive (more gel like). I would recommend simply following the lymph nodes with silicone if only trace amounts. A... more

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Implant Leakage

The treatment of choice is to remove the implants and do a total capsulectomy. This will remove almost all the silicone gel. It is not always possible to remove 100% of the silicone. There may be microscopic evidence of gel in your lymph nodes but unless there is a mass present, removal is not indicated. This problem has been studied in great detail and there is no scientific evidence that small amounts of silicone gel are harmful to you. See an experienced plastic surgeon and do not worry. more

Richard Linderman, MD
Indianapolis Plastic Surgeon

Extracapsular silicone rupture

Nanic54: I will presume that you intend to replace these leaking silicone gel implants soon. Your PS will undoubtedly review the mammograms, as "maps" to define the location of the leakage. It is likely that you will be advised to have an anterior dome capsulectomy, in which the scar shell and malfunctioning implant is removed, en bloc. Your surgeon will endeavor to remove all of the grossly visible silicone gel. Microscopic droplets, which are below the... more

Lavinia Chong, MD
Orange County Plastic Surgeon

Silicone rupture and removal of the silicone.

The silicone from your ruptured implants will disperse microscopically throughout the breast. When removing these implants, the goal is obviously to remove as much silicone as possible. This is done by removing the implant, removing the scar (capsule) from around the implant, and washing out and removing as much silicone as possible. Unfortunately, it is impossible to remove 100% of the silicone. In most cases, the removal of the majority of silicone can be performed without removal of much... more

David Bogue, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

www.drbogue.com

Leaking implants - what to do?

The general thoughts on treating this would be to: 1) remove the old implants, and intra-capsular implant material, 2) do a complete capsulectomy, 3) if there is obvious extra-capsular silicone, remove what is "reasonable", 4) don't do more harm than good by chasing micro-droplets of silicone Hope that helps - see an experienced plastic surgeon for a more thorough discussion. All the best,

Thomas Fiala, MD
Altamonte Springs Plastic Surgeon

Silicone implant rupture.

Generally speaking attempts at removing most of the silicone are performed but removing all the silicone is nearly impossible. if the silicone contained in the lymph nodes is relatively small, this is not a concern. If however, there is extensive spread and it is not excisable, it could end up slowly migrating through your tissues.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Tiny amounts of silicone will cause you no problem

Hi there- Regarding your question: I had my silicone implants put in, in 1988 under the muscle. I discoved after a mammogram about 2 weeks ago that they are both ruptured and have leaked through the capsule. Supposedly, they have been leaking for a few years. Can the silicone be completely removed from my lymph node and my chest wall? If not, what happens to the silicone that is left behind? Once small amounts of silicone are taken up by the lymph nodes and local tissues,... more

Armando Soto, MD
Orlando Plastic Surgeon

www.DrArmandoSoto.com

Leaking Silicone Breast Implants

Regarding: "Silicone Implants Ruptured, Leaked into Lymph Nodes I had my silicone implants put in, in 1988 under the muscle. I discoved after a mammogram about 2 weeks ago that they are both ruptured and have leaked through the capsule. Supposedly, they have been leaking for a few years. Can the silicone be completely removed from my lymph node and my chest wall? If not, what happens to the silicone that is left behind?" Breast Implants are the single most heavily... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD
Memphis Plastic Surgeon

Silicone implant rupture

I am sorry that you are having problems with your implants. When a revision is done, the goal is to remove as much of the silcone as possible, but some still may remain at the end of the procedure.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Silicone leak into nodes

There is really no way to recover all of the silicone that has leaked into the nodes. There has been no real evidence that this will hurt you. It is best not to worry about it. sek

Scott E. Kasden, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Silicone Implants Ruptured, Leaked into Lymph Nodes

Impossible to remove all the micro droplets of silicone. They will most likely stay in the tissue but slow migration is a possibility. Discuss with a PS in person. From MIAMI Dr. Darryl J. Blinski

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Unfortunately the silicone gel implants from these years have almost all leaked or broken and need to be removed

During the 80s the shell of the breast implants was made very thin and the gel in the implants was very liquid. This unfortunately was a bad choice because almost all of these breast implants have either leaked or broken. I have seen a good number of patients that as a result of these changes have developed large silicon granulomas (silicone masses) in the breast and enlarged lymph nodes with silicone in them. If there is any question you should have the implants and the scar capsule... more

Carl W. "Rick" Lentz III, MD
Daytona Beach Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured silicone implants need replacement

The truth is that all breast implants will wear and begin to leak and most often the leak is contained in the capsule around the breast implant. Leaking through the capsule is seen in an implant subjected to a procedure called closed capsulotomy. In the old days (yes, in 1988) when silicone gel implants formed a capsule contracture surgeons would squeeze the breast forcibly to tear the capsule and soften the implant. If the implant ruptured as well the gel would leak outside. Your... more

Peter E. Johnson, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

www.peterejohnsonmd.com

Treatment for ruptured silicone implants

The treatment for ruptured silicone implants with extracapsular spread is to remove the ruptured implants, the complete capsule around the implant and whatever silicone can be removed safely. A new implant is usually placed. We try to remove all the silicone but small amounts left should not cause any problems. We have seen quite a lot of these due to older silicone gel implants. Thankfully the newer cohesive gel implants dont cause these type of problems.

Jason Pozner, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Ruptured silicone implants

One of the things that would be helpful to know is whether you simply have inflammed lymph nodes from the rupture, or if they have actually been biopsied and demonstrated the presence of silicone. If the former, then removing the implants and all extracapsular silicone might resolve the problem.