If your implants burst or leak inside you, can it harm you in any way or possibly cause death?

Question

Can the implants fluid leak and fill your lungs or something like that. Since they are near your lungs when they are put in place.

Peter J. Capizzi, MD · Answer

This is always a concern of both patients and physicians.  Over the past 16 years implants have been studied and the claims made in the 90's continue to be unfounded.  With that said implants of the 4th generation and earlier can rupture and usually remains in the capsule of the body's scar around the implant.  I have never seen or been exposed to a death related to a ruptured implant.  The 5th generation implants, like the Sientra highly cohesive gel, is a significant advancement.  These implants have the lowest deflation and contracture rate for any implant on the market today.  Additionally, Sientra is the only company currently backing there implants up for both of these conditions with a warranty.  These are the safest known today, backed up by research and in practice.  My practice is exposed to many different implants and personally I have been a co-investigator for others....in my opinion, the safest implants with the best results attainable and maintained.

Constantino G. Mendieta, MD · Answer

Hello, and thank you for reaching out to us. Without knowing what kind of implants you have it is difficult to advise you on a course of action.Salien implants are composed of mostly water, which would be absorbed by the body. With silicone implants, these ruptures are much more difficult to detect.  In this situation, most surgeons would recommend an MRI to determine whether or not it is ruptured.Good luck, please let us know how everything goes.Regards,Dr. Constantino Mendieta

Christopher Khorsandi, MD · Answer

If a saline implant ruptures, then the saline or salt water will be absorbed by your body.   There is no harm with this. However the implant shell will remain behind. This will have to be removed at a later date. If a silicone gel implant ruptures, most modern implants have some level of cohesivity,  meaning that they are more like jelly rather than a liquid. This holds true for both gummy bear implants and non-gummy bear silicone implants. The chance of it would leak into your lungs is extremely unlikely. However if you have more concerns I recommend that you undergo a full consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD · Answer

When saline implants fail the fluid released to saltwater which is harmless. If a silicone gel implant fails the capsule containing the breast implant also contains the breast implant contents. It will not migrate into the lungs.

Michael B. Tantillo, MD · Answer

The short and direct answer is no.   There is no way that an implant can leak and cause one to die - no physician would ever knowingly place such a device into a patient.

Adam David Lowenstein, MD, FACS · Answer

Neither saline nor silicone implants should be harmful to your general health if they rupture.  That said, when a saline implant ruptures, you will become smaller on that side and aesthetically this can be displeasing.  A call to your plastic surgeon is then in order to have your implants revised.If a gel implant ruptures, systemic health risks are also highly unlikely.  There is an increased risk of contracture or hardening of the breasts in this case, and so here again a revision is warranted to remove the leaking implant.  If you are unsure of the status of your implant and have a silicone gel breast implants, I recommend an MRI to evaluate them and be sure that they are intact.Best wishes!

C. Bob Basu, MD, MPH, FACS · Answer

Ruptured implants do not jeopardize your health.  If you know you have a rupture, please see a board certified PS for a consultation for an implant exchange procedure.

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

I agree with my colleagues.  There is no danger in with leaking implants.  When saline implants deflate the fluid released is saltwater, which is harmless. If a silicone gel implant fails, the capsule containing the breast implant also contains the breast implant contents.

Jay M. Pensler, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Saline implants contain saline which is salt and water.If the implants leak your body absorbs the fluid without any problem. Gel implants are made of cohesive gels in the USA and the gel is stable and remains in the pocket developed around the implant in cases of non penetrating trauma.

If your implants burst or leak inside you, can it harm you in any way or possibly cause death?

Answers (9)

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