Do I Have A Ruptured Breast Implant?

Symptoms of A Ruptured Breast Implant – How to Diagnose and Treat Breast Implant Rupture

Breast implants usually last a lifetime without causing any problems. Nevertheless, saline or silicone implants may get a tear or a hole due to a variety of reasons, and the implant contents can leak out to surrounding breast tissue. This is called breast implant rupture, and it’s important to recognise the possible signs in order to identify the problem and seek professional help early on.

Breast Implant Rupture Symptoms can vary depending on the type of implant you’ve got during breast augmentation – a saline or silicone implant. Once you get diagnosed, you can discuss the various treatment options with Dr Gittos to regain your best look.

Dr Mark Gittos is a breast surgery expert and Plastic Surgeon in New Zealand who has helped hundreds of patients achieve their aesthetic goals.

Download Dr Mark Gittos’ Guide to Cosmetic Breast Surgery

What Are the Causes of Breast Implant Rupture?

Breast implants are usually durable medical devices and do not rupture easily. However, implants may rupture for any of the following reasons:

1. Intense physical trauma to the breast, such as a car accident, can lead to breast implant rupture
2. Normal ageing of certain types of implants can eventually lead to some wear and tear, and cause the implant to rupture. As implants typically last 10 years or more, this can be accelerated by insertion of the wrong implant size or inferior quality type of implant
3. Accidental perforation during the initial implant surgery is thought to be responsible for half of the cases of breast implant rupture. The implant can sustain a microscopic perforation during insertion, which in time becomes larger and leads to rupture later on
4. Accidental perforation during a breast biopsy for reasons unrelated to the breast implant, such as when your doctor is investigating a certain breast mass
5. Compression during a mammogram may be one of the causes, so you might want to alert the technician to be careful while performing the test

Physical manipulation that is not traumatic and things like coughing or sneezing do not usually cause breast implants to rupture. A lot more energy is needed for the issue to occur.

Breast Implant Rupture Symptoms

Symptoms can vary based on whether you have a silicone or a saline breast implant.

• Losing breast size: this is particularly noticeable with saline implants, where the implants can fully deflate within 2 or 3 days after getting a perforation, and the saline solution leaks out and is completely absorbed by the surrounding tissue. This abrupt loss in breast size will immediately alert you that your breast implant has ruptured. Saline solution is just salt water and does not cause any problems if absorbed by your body
• Misshapen breast: if you have a ruptured silicone implant, you might not notice any loss in size for a long time. The reason is that silicone is a thick gel-like material that is not absorbed by your body, so it tends to stay in place even if the implant has ruptured. Nevertheless, your body will try to contain the free silicone seeping in your breast tissue by forming scar tissue around it, called “granulomas” or “silicomas”. Over time, this scar tissue growing around the free silicone can form hard capsules and contractures, causing your breast shape to change
• Pain in your breast: pain can be caused by the material pushing against the normal breast tissue and underlying muscle, inflammation, or stretching of the overlying skin due to loss of breast size and breast drooping
• Breast lumps: specifically with silicone implants, even if the breast shape and size are unchanged, discovering a new lump can be a sign of implant rupture and is worth investigating

How Is Breast Implant Rupture Diagnosed?

If you think your breast implant has ruptured, you should immediately call your plastic surgeon and let him know of your concerns. Your doctor will ask you make an appointment to undergo a thorough physical exam. If he suspects you might have a ruptured breast implant, your plastic surgeon might order an MRI or Ultrasound of the breasts.  MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is considered the best imaging modality for assessing breast implants. Unfortunately, it’s somewhat expensive and might sometimes miss perforations, especially if they are small.

Breast Implant Rupture Treatment

If your breast implant has ruptured, you will need to visit an experienced plastic surgeon for revision surgery. The revision surgery for breast implant rupture is complicated and more technically demanding than the initial implant surgery.

During explantation surgery, Dr Mark Gittos will make an incision in your breast and remove the ruptured implant. If you had had a silicone implant, Dr Gittos will remove any granulomas and scar tissue that formed after its rupture. Usually, the implant in your other breast is removed as well.

Dr Gittos might insert new implants during the same surgery, usually of a different type. You can also discuss other breast augmentation techniques, such as fat transfer to your breasts.

Ruptured breast implants are not very common, and are usually easily dealt with by an experienced plastic surgeon, especially if the problem is discovered early on. If you have any concerns regarding your breast implants or questions you would like to ask, schedule an appointment with Dr Mark Gittos now.

Further Reading about Breast Implants Surgery

• Breast Lift with Implants Surgery NZ
• Breast Implant Removal with a Lift Surgery NZ
• Breast Implant Replacement Surgery NZ

Medical References:

• PRS Article on Breast implant rupture: causes, incidence, clinical impact, and management Nov 2013
• Article on Breast Implant Rupture by  Breast Cancer Org
• Article on Silicon Breast Implant rupture – A Review by GLAND Journal

Finding the Best Breast Implant Surgeon in Auckland

For many women in New Zealand, having breast implants is a life-changing experience. There are many qualified doctors, but it is always best to find one who is experienced in breast augmentation procedures. Breast implants come in many different shapes and sizes, and there are various insertion techniques, so find a reputable practitioner who can give good advice on the right implants for you. Before considering breast implants, it is wise to find a surgeon who is also up to date with new non-invasive techniques for augmenting the breasts, so you can investigate all the options before deciding on permanent surgical implants.

It is best to avoid choosing a cheaper overseas option that lacks the ongoing support that a New Zealand surgeon provides. Always look for an experienced surgeon that you feel comfortable with and get a second opinion.