Breast Augmentation with Saline Implants, Raleigh, NC*

This 24-year-old woman sought breast enlargement. She chose saline devices and went from a small B to a large C cup. Silicone gel implants were taken off the market in the US in 1992 and did not return for full use until 2006. During this time, saline implants were the only thing available so plastic surgeons developed techniques to improve results of saline breast implants. Although silicone gel implants are more popular now than saline, many women still choose saline breast implants. What is the main reason? One major advantage of saline breast implants is detection of leakage. If a silicone gel breast implant leaks, it is usually not noticeable as it is a jellylike material that does not cause deflation with leakage. If a saline breast implant leaks, volume shrinks often completely but sometimes partially but it is usually very obvious. Therefore, getting treatment for replacement happens much earlier. Silicone gel breast implant leakage can be completely silent or asymptomatic and even when it does occur is often difficult to detect and requires imaging (ultrasound or MRI) to determine leakage. The material leaking can also get into the tissues making removal more difficult. The main reason women want silicone is a more natural feel however a woman with reasonable amount of breast tissue and with placement under the muscle will frequently have a very similar result with a saline breast. Palpability or rippling is usually more common in very thin women.