Wadding material »

Silicone gel

Saline solution

Durability

10-15 years

8-10 years

Consistence & Feeling

Optimal: comparable to the natural breast tissue.

Not optimal: Patients complain of an unnatural feeling because of high liquidity

                                      Silicone                         Saline solution               Hydrogel      

Change of volume

None

Patients frequently complain about a change of volume. Leaking may be caused by defective valves. Sometimes a rupture of the implants occurs

Hydrogels are polymer networks. The polymer networks can absorb different quantities of water, depending on the site conditions (temperature etc.)  This may cause a change of volume of the agent, and therefore of the implant itself, caused by this chemical process.

                                      Silicone                         Saline solution               Hydrogel      

Health risks

Numerous investigations conducted to date did not show any link between silicone implants and the risk of breast cancer. If a  rupture of the implant occurs, this can lead to the attenuation of the immune system, to a disorder of the hypodermic connective tissues, and to rheumatism and arthritis. In order to avoid these risks, the implants of the new generation have a double silicon-based shell, filled by cohesive silicone. Cohesive silicone has a high viscosity. This means that the molecules stay together even in the case of rupture. The gel will not diffuse into the body, and can be safely removed.

None

Although Polivinilpyrrolidon, which is the main part of the hydrogel implants, has been used for 40 years by the pharmaceutical industry and food industry, with recent bioessays  it has become clear that this substance damages the health of the patient. Experts don't know whether Polivinilpyrrolidon is simply dissolved by the body organism, or if it is chemically converted by the organism into other substances that eventually may be harmful. Additionally the there is the risk that impurities such as harmful bacteria could be introduced into the body  via the bleeding process, which is when the hydrogel leaks into the tissues. So far, long term experience and long term studies are not available. Since 2003, however, hydrogel implants are no longer recommended in England, due to risks of diseases that can be caused by the bleeding process. 

                                      Silicone                         Saline solution               Hydrogel      

X-ray & breast cancer prevention

There is an impairment of the classical cancer precaution. Alternatives: ultrasound and nuclear spin tomography.

There is an impairment of classical cancer precaution.

There is no impairment of classical x-ray diagnostic and breast cancer precaution.

                                      Silicone                         Saline solution               Hydrogel      

Particular advantage 

The ideal consistency of silicone makes possible to optically most beautiful result. More than 30 years of Long-term experience exist. The new generation of implants has promising characteristics and quality.

No health risk from rupture.

Natural consistency.

                                      Silicone                         Saline solution               Hydrogel      

Particular disadvantage

For the new generation of implants no particular disadvantages or risks are known.

During the winter and in cold environments the saline filled implant can cool down considerably and cause discomfort.

Missing long term data. Uncertainty regarding possible health risks.

                                      Silicone                         Saline solution               Hydrogel      

Note

Empirical values confirm good body compatibility. After trauma the nuclear spin tomography or Eklund technique can reliably determine whether the implants are still intact or if they have been damaged.

The implants are filled up after the positioning.  Some surgeons tend to overfill the implant to achieve the desired optical result. This can cause the leaking of the valve.

In some countries no longer certified or not recommended.