Clinical data from a study by Marc J. Salzman, M.D. of 584 women with current types of silicone gel breast implants in place for 3 to 20 years showed that 10.6% had an implant rupture they were unaware of. Also, this first-ever survey report of women’s feelings and attitudes about silent rupture of their silicone gel implants showed they have significant concerns and anxiety about rupture.

The surveys showed that 99.5 percent of women would like to know whether their silicone gel implant is ruptured, and that 95.2 percent want the ruptured implant removed.

The 584 women who had high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) scans of their silicone gel breast implants said they have a variety of concerns and feel anxious about having a silent rupture. While silent ruptures are out of sight to surgeons and women, ruptures are not out of mind to women, based on their survey responses.

Silicone gel tends to remain within the capsular scar tissue if the implant shell ruptures, which maintains the volume of the breast. This is why patients are not aware that an implant has ruptured, and why it is called a “silent rupture”. A ruptured implant may remain undiscovered for years and only found through an abnormal mammogram, lump, pain or capsular contracture.

Read more at PR Web >>