Silicone Breast ImplantsSilicone breast implants have been used since the 1960s to augment the size of a woman’s breasts. Silicone is a combination of organic and inorganic compounds which create a highly stabile and inert substance. This substance is soft and pliable and was thought to be an excellent substitute for natural anatomical tissue. Silicone implants have evolved rapidly and continue to change and adapt to surgeon’s needs today.
Silicone Breast Implant HistoryThe first silicone surgical implants were developed by 2 Texas surgeons, Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow. These doctors worked closely with their sponsor, the Dow Corning Corporation. The first surgical breast augmentation using silicone implants was performed in 1962. The original silicone implants had an anatomical teardrop shape, a thick outer shell and viscous silicone gel inside. The implant was thought to be too hard and was redesigned in the 1970’s to be softer and more pliable. These next generation implants had a thinner shell and a thinner liquid-like silicone as a filler material. These were the implants most plagued by rupture and silicone migration throughout the body. The 1980’s brought about further development of the silicone implant. Shells were reinforced and filler gel was made much thicker. Sizes grew and more women opted for a new generation of “disproportionate” breast implant surgeries. Today’s silicone implants are the best designs thus far. Cohesive gel implants are made from a jelly like material which will not bleed out of the implant shell, even if the implant is pierced or ruptured.Silicone Breast Implant DangersSilicone implants have, in the past, been associated with a variety of health risks and concerns. The list of conditions connected to breast implants includes cancer, lupus, fibromyalgia, connective tissue diseases, neurological dysfunction, autoimmune disorders, and others. Ongoing research has not proven any actual link between any of these conditions and patients who have received breast implants. Another risk associated with silicone implants is exposure to platinum which is used during the manufacturing process. Once again, no evidence was proven that this possible exposure caused any problems or created any identifiable risk to the patient.Detailed Information about Breast Implant Safety. The Bottom Line on Silicone Breast ImplantsSilicone has endured a roller coaster ride as a surgical material in the past 50 years. Originally hailed as a miracle substance, doctors had hopes of being able to use it throughout the body for cosmetic and reconstructive applications. The material was vilified as more patients began to experience implant failure due to the thinner shells and liquid like filler material of the second generation implants in the 1970’s and 1980’s. Silicone is back now in a big way, with the invention of the cohesive gel implant. These implants are used all over the body to repair, reconstruct and augment anatomical tissue. This latest generation of silicone implant will most likely improve even further in the future. Cosmetic breast surgery is a highly profitable and specialized field. We all know that where there is money to be made, innovation is sure to flourish…Silicone Breast Implants to Breast Surgery 11/17/07 Revised 6/3/11 |
Breast-Plastic-Surgery.Org. No material, text or graphics may be reproduced or distributed in any form, without written permission from the author. Anyone who infringes on this copyright will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.