Silicone Breast Implants Today

Silicone breast implants have been used since the early 1960’s, but at the present time saline implants are the only implants available to women in the United States. Due to concerns that silicone may leak out of the implants into the body and cause health problems, the FDA banned the use of silicone implants in 1992. Since the moratorium was imposed silicone implants have only been allowed in special cases including those undergoing reconstructive surgery, breast revision surgery, and those participating in clinical trials.

Studies have been conducted around the world with results showing that silicone implants do not cause health problems. In 1998 the National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine reported that the 1.5 to 1.8 million women in America with silicone breast implants do not have a higher rate of cancer, immunological diseases, neurological diseases, or other systemic illnesses than women without silicone breast implants. Many other studies, including illness specific studies, have shown that silicone implants do not cause health problems.

While studies have proven that there is no danger posed by silicone breast implants, new developments in the implants have made them less likely to leak. New technology has resulted in a new type of silicone breast implant called cohesive gel implants, commonly referred to as “gummy bear” implants. The cohesive gel is thick, not liquid, and retains its shape. Cohesive gel implants are anatomically shaped and are therefore placed in the body in an upright position. Because of the positioning and the thickness of the cohesive gel, the implants do not fold and are therefore less likely to rupture. In the rare cases where the shell does rupture, the silicone does not migrate throughout the body because of the thickness of the gel. Cohesive gel implants have been used since 1993 in countries other than the United States.

Many women and cosmetic surgeons prefer silicone breast implants because they have a more natural look and feel than saline breast implants. Saline implants have a silicone shell and are filled with saline which is a liquid. The silicone implants have a consistency more like natural breast tissue. Because the cohesive gel implant retains its shape it also lasts longer meaning that fewer future surgeries will be required. When and if cohesive gel breast implants become available to all women in the United States, some women may still choose the saline implants. Cohesive gel implants are more expensive than saline and require a larger incision. Typically saline implants require a 3 centimeter incision. Cohesive gel implants require a 5 centimeter incision, to prevent folding during the procedure.

In 2001 the FDA approved a study of the cohesive gel implants which involves 440 patients. Silicone implants may be available again, in the United States, in the near future. Of course, the availability of silicone breast implants will not mean that saline implants are no longer an option. It will simply give women in the United States the freedom to decide for themselves which type of breast implant they will use, without having to travel to other countries for the procedure.

If you or someone you know is interested in breast augmentation, please feel free to contact cosmetic surgeon Dr. Rusca in Atlantic Georgia.