Analysis of silicon in human breast and capsular tissue surrounding prostheses and expanders

Diffusion of polydimethylsiloxane from silicone breast prostheses and soft-tissue expanders has been associated with capsular contraction. We used electron dispersive x-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy to assess the presence of silicon in capsular tissue surrounding three categories of breast prostheses and expanders. Breast and subcutaneous tissues external to the capsules were used as control specimens. Semiquantitative results allowed capsules to be ranked according to implant type. Silicon was localized within the inner 2.0 mm of capsular tissue. The analyses of tissues from 2 patients exhibiting unilateral, Baker grade IV contraction after bilateral placement of prostheses showed less silicon present in the severely contracted capsule than in the less-contracted capsule. Results from this study diminish the importance of silicon as the initiator of capsular contraction.