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.