Do saline implants leak toxins?

Question

I have been worried hearing about breast implant illness. I have heard there the saline shell is made of a number of toxic chemicals that will leach into the body over time. This scares me, as it sounds like the chemicals will always be in me even if I remove the implants. Is there truth to this?

Patricia A. McGuire, MD · Answer

I see patients who have a variety of symptoms after having breast implants placed, both saline and silicone gel. There is currently no scientific evidence that links implants to defined autoimmune disease, but individual symptoms have not been studied and silicone gel has been studied more than saline. I am a principal investigator in a study looking at systemic symptoms in women with breast implants. We are looking at the types of symptoms women have who have implants and symptoms, who have implants and no symptoms and women who have never had implants. For the women who have surgery to remove their implants, we are sending the capsule (scar tissue) that forms around the implants to various labs to look at heavy metals, bacterial and fungal DNA, and cytokines. We are also testing their peripheral blood for antibodies to bacterial toxins, thyroid function, Vit D levels and inflammatory markers. The study is sponsored by the Aesthetic Society, so plastic surgeons are interested in getting scientific data to see if we can find a link between implants and various symptoms. We know that one of the main concerns of women with breast implant illness is heavy metals in the implants as a cause of their symptoms, so we hope our study will provide scientific answers to your question.

Finny George, MD · Answer

Hi, thank you for sharing your question. While it is true that all implants are made of a silicone shell, there is not evidence that this shell degraded and emits toxins. The saline within the implants themselves is not toxic.I hope this helps. Best of luck!

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Removal of breast implants, intact or ruptured, may have positive implications if patients are symptomatic. A constellation of symptoms associated with breast implant illness, and autoimmune disease are considered when treating patients who have breast implants and are concerned about foreign body reaction. In our office, we begin this journey with a consideration of symptoms and exclusion of obvious autoimmune problems. In many of our patients, en bloc removal of breast implants with capsulectomy is important and beneficial. Further clinical evidence about breast implant illness is evolving and will continue to guide treatment. I would suggest removal if there is a possibility of foreign body reaction.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Hello, thank you for your question. There is no proof that saline implants are toxic, they can leak but it is very unusual for a saline implant to have a "leak". Most often, when a saline device fails, the breast rapidly deflates.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear  Dunkindo,
there have been numerous studies on the safety and efficacy of silicone breast implants. The FDA has approved them to be safe and breast augmentation is the most common cosmetic surgical procedure performed in the United States every year. Implants are much different than they used to be with rigorous testing and cohesive gel. I can't tell you how happy my breast augmentation patients have been with their implants.
I would recommend a consult with a plastic surgeon to go over all of your concerns. Saline implants are also a perfectly good option if you are still concerned and are less expensive.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Richard Baxter, MD · Answer

The medical grade silicone used for breast implant manufacture is nontoxic, and more pure than the numerous silicone products you come in contact with daily. The saline used to fill the implants is placed directly from an IV bag using a closed fill system, so there is no potential for toxins there either.

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

There are no scientific studies that show that saline implants leak toxins.  They are made of a silicone shell and filled with sterile saline during surgery.  Your body then forms a natural scar capsule around them.

Ben Gbulie, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi DunkindoThanks for your question.The anecdotal answer is No - saline implants are not toxic. The majority of saline implants are smooth implants and the implant shell though made of Silicone usually is sturdy, durable and non-toxic. The saline injected is sterile and also non-toxic.I hope this helps!

Scott L. Replogle, MD (retired) · Answer

Saline-filled breast implants do not "leak toxins" assuming they were properly filled with sterile saline. They also tend to collapse at least partially rather than "leak".

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