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.

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Failure of a breast implant is usually of no physiologic significance.

Answer: Failure of a breast implant is usually of no physiologic significance.

Answer: Implant leak can not cause death.

Answer: Implant leak can not cause death.

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

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

Answers (9)

Answer: Failure of a breast implant is usually of no physiologic significance.

Answer: Failure of a breast implant is usually of no physiologic significance.

Answer: Implant leak can not cause death.

Answer: Implant leak can not cause death.

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Breast Implants

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.