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Endoscopic plastic surgery: the endoscopic evaluation of implants after breast augmentation
1Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Landesklinikum Feldkirch, Austria.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Concerns exist regarding silicone gel implants and connective tissue disease. Direct visualization, including endoscopic inspection, is the safest method for assessing implant integrity when external methods fail.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Ongoing debate links silicone gel breast implants to connective tissue disease.
- This has caused significant concern among women with breast augmentation.
Observation:
- External methods like MRI can only detect significant implant lesions or ruptures.
- Direct visualization is currently the only definitive method for assessing implant integrity.
Findings:
- Endoscopic evaluation offers a safe, quick, and patient-compliant method for direct visualization.
- This procedure can be combined with biopsies and capsulotomies.
Implications:
- Endoscopic inspection provides a reliable method for monitoring silicone gel implant integrity.
- This technique addresses patient concerns and aids in clinical management.