We will approach an ultra-known topic, almost “exhausted” over time, but I want to underline OBJECTIVELY and without exaggeration the ratings or the panic produced by some media formulations – aspects related to the existing medical data . It is about SILICONE BREAST IMPLANTS, about which, lately (6 months) information related to some specific cases of severe complications in patients who had a certain type of implants, led to a panic in the 50% of the patients who have had silicone breast implants of all kinds over time.
I think it’s important that information can reach people freely and without any kind of manipulation – IF THAT IS STILL POSSIBLE … IN 2017! The way in which a certain fact is presented, it counts! And I think everyone agrees that an anxious, fatalist presentation without any trace of hope is of no use to anybody in the end!
The data must be presented objectively, and everyone will draw their own conclusions.
Thus, we will continue to present the complications known to date, related to this intervention:
BREAST AUGMENTATION WITH SILICONE IMPLANTS.
Besides general complications common to any surgery (allergic reactions, haemorrhage, hematoma, infection, soft-tissue necrosis), some complications may occur for this type of surgery)
- BLEEDING – in any surgery, there is a risk of bleeding or hematoma formation (blood collection). Bleeding may occur, but control of hemostasis greatly reduces this possibility. However, if it occurs postoperatively drainage is required (any fluid collection around the implant requires drainage).
- In a small number of cases, INFECTION may occur, requiring the temporary removal of the implant, until healing of the infection and the disappearance of inflammatory phenomena. Then a new implant will be inserted (after a minimum of 2 months).
THE REMOVED IMPLANT CAN NOT BE REUSED!
- CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE – is the most common problem with any type of implant. This phenomenon consists in the development around the implant of a layer of reactive fibro-connective tissue, the natural response of the body to the introduction of a foreign material into the body. Ideally, the capula remains supple and foldable. If the scar tissue thickens and contracts, it compresses the implant, and the breast appears round and firm, sometimes sensitive. Capsular contracture can begin anytime postoperatively, even after a few months, and most often occurs in one side. Since the capsular scar is produced around the implant, the capsular reaction is considered an important risk of the implant. To reduce the body’s response to the implant, a high-quality, textured surface implant is chosen.
- FORM AND SYMMETRY OF BREASTS – the increase in breast volume does not correct their asymmetry only to a certain extent, depending on the type of the breasts, but also on the intelligent choice of the implant type, based on complex measurements involving the thorax and the whole body of the patient.
- PAIN AND DISCOMFORT – may occur immediately after the operation. Usually decreases during healing (14 days).
- BREAK OR RUPTURE OF THE IMPLANT – extremely unlikely in the case of modern implants, but it can happen in the event of severe chest shocks (extreme sports or serious trauma-related injuries). Rarely can break during the massage or aggressive manipulation of the breasts. The implant rupture can be clinically diagnosed, ultrasonographically or radiographically.
- EXAMINATION OF BREAST AND X-RAYS – the implant does not interfere with methods of diagnosing breast pathology of any kind.
- TRAUMA OR SURGERY ON THE BREAST – can lead to the formation of small calcium deposits which can be viewed mammographically. These deposits can occur only after years from surgery and occasionally a biopsy may be required to confirm that these deposits are inoffensive.
- SENSITIVITY CHANGES – may appear postoperatively in the nipple, either in the sense of increasing or decreasing sensitivity. However, it returns to normal within a few weeks. In any case, within the first 2 months after surgery, a few days before menstruation, there may be increases in sensitivity in the areola and nipple.
THE REJECTION OF THE IMPLANT IS EXTREMELY RARE!
- AUTOIMMUNE DISEASES – the main reason why silicone is so used in medicine is that it is considered inert and biocompatible or neutral inside the body. However, there have been reports of rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma in patients with breast augmentation. All the studies performed could not prove any connection between these two aspects and were considered to be coincidental.
FINALLY – IT IS IMPORTANT TO MENTION THAT MOST PATIENTS ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE MODIFICATIONS OF THEIR BREASTS AFTER SURGERY AND AFTER 6 -8 WEEKS, THE PRESENCE OF BREAST IMPLANTS IS IMPERCEPTIBLE TO THE TOUCH!