Breast augmentation: a current controversy

Breast augmentation remains a popular aesthetic procedure. Even with the current negative publicity, breast augmentation continues to be a widely accepted procedure. The materials that make up the breast implants have been in use for over 20 years with only minimal complications. Scar contractures continue to be the major complication with this surgery. A causal relationship between silicone breast implants, neoplasms of the breasts, or autoimmune diseases have not been demonstrated in experimental studies on humans. Scientific data presented to the FDA will determine if silicone-containing products will continue to be used for implantation. There is enough concern among some physicians and patients that many are now turning to saline implants. Some of the patients do not entertain the idea of saline implants because of the incidence of deflation and reoperation. Silicone may not be the perfect implantable substance, but no other material has been manufactured to replace this implant in the last 20 years. Until a better material is produced, silicone is the breast implant of choice.