A Prospective Analysis of Patients Undergoing Silicone Breast Implant Explantation

Abstract

Despite the lack of a scientifically proven link between silicone implants and disease, many women have chosen to have their implants removed out of concern for their health. Unfortunately, there are few studies in the literature that have investigated the outcome of explanations, and there are no prospective analyses of the effect explantation has on a patient's general health. The goal of this study was to use a prospective database to determine whether there were any preoperative parameters that could be used to predict which patients would be improved following removal of silicone breast implants and to provide a quantifiable measure of that improvement. A total of 38 patients with silicone breast implants underwent operative removal of their breast implants by faculty at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. They were given questionnaires regarding several personal and medical parameters to be completed preoperatively, at 6 weeks postoperatively, and at 6 months postoperatively. In addition, their physicians completed preoperative and postoperative evaluations of the patient's general health status. A control group of 38 patients was established; they were matched with the experimental group with regard to age and other initial parameters. Their responses to questionnaires were then grouped according to standard subscales to evaluate physical functioning, physical role, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional role, mental health, appearance evaluation, appearance orientation, illness orientation, and body area satisfaction. When compared with the control group, we found that patients who had undergone explantation showed a temporary decrease in musculoskeletal symptoms and bodily pain, as well as an increase in vitality, mental health, and body area satisfaction. Of the experimental group, those who initially indicated a higher number of musculoskeletal symptoms and a higher appearance evaluation were more likely to indicate a significant improvement in general health since explantation.

Is explantation of silicone breast implants useful in patients with complaints?

“…Self-evaluation of the health status was done preoperatively and 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. In addition, the general practitioner evaluated the health status of the patients [30]. After explantation, patients showed an improvement in measurements of arthralgia and pain, as well as an increase in vitality, mental health and body area satisfaction when compared with preoperative measurements.…”

Biocompatibility and Tissue Interactions of a New Filler Material for Medical Use

“…Among the filler materials in breast implants, silicones have become the most frequently used compounds for their safety features, from both carcinogenic and immune disease points of view (EQUAM Consensus Declaration on Breast Implants, June 23, 2000). [1][2][3] The main problem related to breast implants is the formation of a fibrous capsule around the prosthesis 4,5 as a result of bleeding, with a 10 to 15 percent incidence. Despite the lack of scientifically proven dangerous effects of silicone gel used as tissue filler, the injected silicone has been officially removed from the market for safety reasons as well as for acute inflammatory and connective tissues diseases.…”

Textured and Smooth Breast Implants: Is There a Difference in the Chemical Structure of Silicone?

“…21,[22][23][24][25] The different forces of acid sites depend upon the chemical environment of the silicon atom and are inversely proportional to the number of organic (CH 3 ) methyl groups surrounding the silicon, which are characterized by electron donor properties.…”

“…This technique is both useful and precise allows polymer surface analysis without having to employ solvents, or resins, which could impair correct identification of the chemical bonds exposed. [21][22][23][24][25][26][27] Thanks to the low energy of IR rays, in fact, chemical bonds, even in thin layers, can be studied, without damaging moieties and providing specific spectra that characterize the surface of the solid, like a fingerprint. 9 Aim of the present study was to evaluate textured and smooth silicone breast implant shells using FTIR/ATR spectroscopy, in the attempt to identify eventual chemical modifications in silicone induced by texturization.…”