A NO BLEED IMPLANT

Breast implants have evolved from the original saline-filled, smooth-s urfaced silicone rubber bag to silicone gel-filled smooth-walled sacs to a combination of a silicone gel-filled bag within a saline-filled s ac, and, most recently, a reversed, double-lumen implant with a saline bag inside of a gel-filled bag. Texture-surfaced implants were first used in 1970 when the standard silicone gel-filled implant was covered with a polyurethane foam. Because of concerns about the degradation p roducts of this foam, they were removed from the market in 1991. In 19 75 double-lumen silicone textured implants were developed, followed by silicone gel-filled textured implants. In 1990 a new radiolucent, bio compatible gel was produced that reduced the problem of radioopacity o f silicone implants. Because of the gel's sufficiently low coefficient of friction, leakage caused by fold flaw freacture may also be decrea sed. We present a case where this new biocompatible gel implant was re positioned after four months. The resulting scar capsule in this soft breast was thin [<0.002 cm (0.008 in.)] and evenly textured as a mirro r image of the textured silicone surface. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray defraction spectrophotometry revealed no silicone bleed.