Clinical experience with Heyer-Schulte inflatable implants in breast augmentation

Following breast augmentation, 100 patients with inflatable saline implants were followed for a period of 6 months to 8 1/2 years. Capsular contracture rate, Baker II or greater, was 3.4 percent. This low rate of capsular contracture is attributed to early manipulation of the implant. The deflation rate was also 3.4 percent. The Heyer-Schulte (Mentor) inflatable implant offers an acceptable low rate of leakage to justify its continued use. It also offers an advantage in correction of asymmetries and yields softer breasts. The replacement of an occasional deflated implant does not appear to pose more than a minor nuisance nor to materially compromise the possibility of an excellent long-term result.