Silicone Breast Implant Injector: A Retooled Breast Augmentation Device

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Silicone breast implants are widely used for augmentation.
• Current finger-insertion methods are time-consuming and carry risks.
• Complications include long incisions, scarring, contamination, microleakage, and capsular contracture.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate an improved silicone breast implant injector.
• To assess the safety and efficacy of a "no touch" insertion technique.

Main Methods:

• A reusable stainless steel injector (2007) was used in 53 breast augmentation patients.
• The study period was from 2013 to 2017.
• Implant volumes ranged from 250-ml to 400-ml.

Main Results:

• Injector use shortened incisions from 4-7 cm to 3-4 cm.
• Insertion time decreased from minutes to seconds.
• Two patients (3.7%) experienced capsular contracture; no ruptures occurred.
• Reduced silicone microleakage and capsular contracture rates were observed.

Conclusions:

• The "no touch" silicone breast implant injector is an effective alternative tool.
• It simplifies insertion, reduces complications, and minimizes trauma to the incision and implant.
• The technique offers improved outcomes and patient safety in breast augmentation.