This phenomenon occurs only when I fly to cities at lower elevations. Upon flying back to Denver, bubbles do not disappear. Air pockets increase with each trip via commercial plane (pressurized cabin). Accumulation is always on the back side of prosthesis. They never explode. Eventually the shell of the prosthesis splits where the pressure is greatest. 7 prosthesies have done this. I have also had a ruptured implant. No explosion, just a gradual increase in symptoms and final diagnosis via MRI.
August 20, 2015
Answer: Flying (or Scuba Diving) Not a Problem with Breast Implants Because yours is a common concern and frequently recurring question, the effects on breast implants by pressure change in an aircraft or while Scuba diving has been researched. Here is a research study by a group at Duke University: Vann RD; Riefkohl R; Georgiade GS; Georgiade NG. Mammary implants, diving, and altitude exposure. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1988. Feb. Volume 81, (2): 200-3: Mammary implants were exposed to various simulated dive profiles followed by altitude exposures to stimulate aircraft travel and then were observed for bubble formation and volume changes. Minimal volume changes occurred after each dive. Numerous bubbles formed, however, reaching their maximum size in 3 hours. By comparison, when implants were exposed to high altitude following a dive exposure, significant volume changes occurred. This in vitro study showed that bubble formation and volume expansion occur after exposing implants to diving and altitude, but the circumstances required to produce these changes in vivo are extremely unlikely to occur normally.Please note that the pressure changes were exaggerated to simulate going up in an airplane after diving. The minor pressure changes in a pressure-regulated aircraft may temporarily produce few small bubbles in an implant, but of no consequence for the integrity of the implant.Your "experiment" with a prosthesis is a bit different because the structure of the shell and purity of the silicone is different from an implantable device.
Helpful
August 20, 2015
Answer: Flying (or Scuba Diving) Not a Problem with Breast Implants Because yours is a common concern and frequently recurring question, the effects on breast implants by pressure change in an aircraft or while Scuba diving has been researched. Here is a research study by a group at Duke University: Vann RD; Riefkohl R; Georgiade GS; Georgiade NG. Mammary implants, diving, and altitude exposure. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 1988. Feb. Volume 81, (2): 200-3: Mammary implants were exposed to various simulated dive profiles followed by altitude exposures to stimulate aircraft travel and then were observed for bubble formation and volume changes. Minimal volume changes occurred after each dive. Numerous bubbles formed, however, reaching their maximum size in 3 hours. By comparison, when implants were exposed to high altitude following a dive exposure, significant volume changes occurred. This in vitro study showed that bubble formation and volume expansion occur after exposing implants to diving and altitude, but the circumstances required to produce these changes in vivo are extremely unlikely to occur normally.Please note that the pressure changes were exaggerated to simulate going up in an airplane after diving. The minor pressure changes in a pressure-regulated aircraft may temporarily produce few small bubbles in an implant, but of no consequence for the integrity of the implant.Your "experiment" with a prosthesis is a bit different because the structure of the shell and purity of the silicone is different from an implantable device.
Helpful