IN-VITRO MEASUREMENT OF SILICONE BLEED FROM BREAST IMPLANTS

A method to measure gel bleed from intact silicone gel-filled breast i mplants was developed. This nondestructive technique permits accurate and reproducible serial measurements of silicone bleed from smooth wal l breast implants (n = 10) under simulated physiologic conditions in v itro. Gel bleed rates from new low bleed gel-filled implants and intac t explants (unbarriered, low bleed, double lumen) were determined. The se results demonstrate the reliability of this method to quantify sili cone gel bleed and may permit a meaningful comparison of bleed rates f rom implants in the future.