Saline Breast Implant Deflation-Exchange for Gel in North Carolina*

Breast implant deflation is a term used to describe when a saline breast implant leaks fluid. Silicone gel breast implants can leak but generally do not deflate completely as the viscous nature of the gel prevents much of a noticeable difference when it occurs. For this reason, saline implants offer the benefit of early detection of an implant problem. From 1992-2006-silicone gel breast implants were only available through study protocols offered by the manufacturer because of the moratorium on their distribution. During this time saline implants became much more popular. Deflation rates of saline devices averaged about 1-2% per year- With textured implants having higher rates of leakage. It is felt that the primary cause of implant deflation is a crease fold failure-when a fold in the implant rubs against itself chronically and eventually causes a hole in the implant. When the implant leaks it is not always an immediate complete deflation as the hole is usually small and the fluid does not completely evacuate. This 52-year-old woman had saline breast implants placed almost 20 years ago and noticed a leak on her right side. Because she did not like the palpability of the implant she chose to have silicone gel replacement. This is not always a simple procedure and may involve removal of capsule or tightening of the capsule such as capsulorrhaphy . Implant companies will usually provide new implants at no cost even when out of the warranty period.