Breast implant rupture 37 years after breast augmentation

Abstract

Introduction Silicone implants have been used ever since the second half of the 20th century. Over that period, several generations of implants have been developed that differed in thickness of the shell and viscosity of the silicone gel. Development of these generations of implants was accompanied with different complication rates. The first-generation implants had the lowest tendency to rupture, but were more prone to capsular contracture and calcification formation. Case outline An 81-year-old female patient had her silicone implants placed in 1983. After a chest injury in 2015, on the lateral aspect of the left breast a tumefaction becomes palpable and she complains of pain. She denied any subjective problems before the injury. After pertinent diagnostic procedures and clinical examination, silicone implant rupture was suspected. Surgical findings confirmed ruptures of both implants so that they were extracted, capsulectomy was performed and the surrounding tissue imbibed with silicone removed. Samples were sent for histopathological examination. Conclusion Implant rupture is one of late complications of breast augmentation. The incidence of ruptures has changed with development of newer generations of silicone implants. We believe that our patient had the first-generation silicone implants, knowing the time of their placement to the occurrence of symptoms and macroscopic appearance of the shell after extraction. The fact is that these implants have proved to be very durable, but regardless of the lack of symptoms, current guidelines recommend regular screening for rupture, while possible preventive extraction, particularly in case of so old implants should be considered. © 2021, Serbia Medical Society. All rights reserved.