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

Abstract

Scientific controversy concerning silicone and its biocompatibility has been ongoing for the last 10 years. This study on textured and smooth silicone breast implant shells using fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy associated with attenuated total reflectance cells aimed to identify eventual chemical modifications of silicone induced by texturization. The surfaces of 8 new implants produced by 2 well-known manufactures have been taken into consideration. A sample 1 cm2 has been harvested from the anterior and posterior sides of textured and smooth shells. Infrared spectra were then recorded, evaluated, and compared with the reference spectrum of pure silicone. Potentially reactive groups, known as silanols, were identified, in all shells, intensity increasing in textured implants (P < 0.05), whereas no silanols were detected in the spectrum of pure silicone. These results suggest that polar groups, present in manipulated silicone might influence capsula formation.

Influence of Breast Implant Surface Finishing on Physicochemical and Mechanical Properties before and after Extreme Degradation Studies

“…The effect of surface finishing has been evaluated in terms of biological activity, in which smooth surfaces were associated with capsular contracture and rough surfaces with bacterial adhesion and lymphomas. In addition, the evaluation of the chemical properties demonstrated higher hydrophilic character in rough than in smooth breast implant samples [ 10 ]. However, the effect of surface finishing on the mechanical properties and sample sensitivity towards degradation has not been investigated.…”

“…Persichetti et al evaluated the influence of surface finishing on the chemical properties. Potentially reactive groups, known as silanols, were identified in all shells but were present in high intensity in textured implants [ 10 ].…”