What Would Cause Breast Implant Rupture?

The
manufacturers of breast implants clearly state that these devices aren’t
intended to last a lifetime.Despite
this, many patients can expect to have implants last their entire
lifetime.Current studies suggest that
implants deflate at a rate of one percent at one year and three percent at
three years.Over time, this number can
be expected to grow.Implants may deflate with no
apparent cause or may deflate secondary to some type of trauma.When implants spontaneously deflate, the
cause is usually implant fatigue.Over
the course of time, implants simply wear out.Under these circumstances, the decision to replace implants is
easy.If a patient is doing well and not
having problems with breast implants, we see no reason to routinely replace
implants, just because a set time period has passed.Although insurance doesn’t generally
cover the cost of implant replacement, these devices do come with a
warranty.In some cases, extended
warranties can be purchased, as well.When implants deflate, the warranty usually covers the cost of
replacement.

It's a great question. Implants typically rupture, because the shell fails in an area where folding is occurring. The risk of saline rupture is 10% in 10 years. The risk of fifth-generation silicone implants is 3-4% in nine years. It's important to know that fifth-generation silicone implants are now a silicone solid, and are not a liquid. When they rupture they do not leak out.

Our own bodies give out with time as does our cars and just about everything else in life and so is the case for implants.  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.

Implants are made of a durable silicone shell that can withstand tons and tons of pressure. Simply squeezing them with your hand will probably not rupture the implant - you'll do more harm to your breast tissues than the implant itself.  It would take a lot of force to rupture them, such as a high speed accident or fall from great height. However, ruptures may also be caused if punctured or if their shell gets more fragile (usually with age).

A breast implant rupture can be caused by surgical mistakes, physical trauma, general wear and tear, or capsular contracture. Removal of breast implants is necessary following rupture.

Hi,
Thank you for your question!
Breast implants rupture anytime there is a break in the shell or when a valve is damaged or unsealed. This can be caused by several different factors. The implant could be damaged before it was inserted in your body. Over or under filling could potentially lead to an increased risk of rupture. Capsular contracture, trauma to the breast such as a car accident, pressure during a mammogram, or any other medical procedure performed in the breast area could all possibly cause a breast implant rupture.
With saline implants, the rupture is pretty noticeable as your implant will just deflate, and the saline will be absorbed by your body. With silicone implants, it can be a little more difficult to tell. The silicone can stay within the capsule of your breast or it could leak to other surrounding areas. The best way to tell if you have a rupture with silicone implants is to have an MRI.

Obviously, you should also have your plastic surgeon examine you.

Best regards,
Dr. Speron

First of all, implants are man made, so they are not perfect. The most common cause of implant rupture is capsular contracture. This is a progressive process that develops in some patients where the scar tissue pocket around the implant shrinks and squeezes the implant. creating folds in its shell. Over time a plane of weakness develops and the shell cracks. If you have saline implants you'll notice a decrease in your breast size, but with silicone gel implants you might not notice anything, or oyur breast might feel softer or might have a change in shape. Other causes could be trauma from a car accident.

Ruptures can be caused by several things, including implant defect and intense pressure on the implant. However, implants are placed under great pressure, measuring in the tons, during testing. The usual pressure applied with daily activities and sports would probably not be sufficient to cause ruptures. Capsular contracture may also increase the risk of rupture.

The usual cause of a leaking implant is a crease in the implant.  This can occur when the capsule tightens around the implant or if the pocket is not big enough for the implant. It is the daily grind of working against the fold that causes a pin hole leak in the implant.   With the new form of breast implants produced after 2009 there is little chance of the implant gel material migrating since the gel is more cohesive than it was prior to this time.  Therefore it may be difficult to tell if it is ruptured since the implant tends to keep its original shape. The problem is non an emergency.  You would need some type of diagnostic study to determine if it was actually ruptured such as a  mammogram, MRI or ultrasound.

Beki,
The most common cause of breast implant failure is fatigue and breakage of the implant envelope/shell.
This happens most commonly near a fold. Repeated folding-unfolding-folding at any one spot cause a weakness and then a leak. (This has been seen with airplane wings and other man-made structures repeatedly subjected to compression-decompression). Less commonly leaking is realated to a faulty valve in some saline implants. This was more common 20 years ago than it is now.
Breast implants are very resistant to compression. Being hugged, unless by a very powerful force (like hitting the steering wheel) will not cause rupture.
Because smooth implants are less stationary in the breast pocket than textured implants, their folds are also less fixed. As a result, textured surface breast implants are associated both with more rippling and with a higher rate of earlier leaking.
Unlike many other devices, BOTH Allergan and MENTOR, the producers of the majority of breast implants in this country, will replace all their implants FREE. Make sure your Plastic surgeon uses one of their breast implants and not a cheaper overseas implant. It will become much more expensive when your breast implants deflate.