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Related Experiment Videos

Saline-filled breast implants: a Plastic Surgery Educational Foundation multicenter outcomes study

K A Gutowski1, G T Mesna, B L Cunningham

  • 1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|September 18, 1997
PubMed
Summary

Saline-filled breast implants show high patient satisfaction and safety, but reoperations are common. Avoiding underfilling and considering subpectoral placement can improve outcomes and reduce deflation risks.

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Area of Science:

  • Plastic Surgery
  • Biomaterials Science
  • Medical Device Outcomes

Background:

  • Saline-filled breast implants have been widely used for augmentation and reconstruction.
  • Understanding long-term outcomes and patient-reported data is crucial for informed decision-making.
  • Previous studies may not fully capture complication rates and patient satisfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the outcomes of saline-filled breast implants using physician- and patient-reported data.
  • To identify risk factors for implant deflation and capsular contracture.
  • To assess overall patient satisfaction and likelihood of re-choosing the implants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective cohort study involving 11 centers and 504 patients with 995 saline-filled breast implants.

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  • Data collected on implant placement between 1980 and 1989, with a mean follow-up of 6 years.
  • Analysis included reoperation rates, complication incidence, implant deflation, capsular contracture, and patient satisfaction.

    • Main Results:

    • 20.6% of patients required reoperation; 5.5% of implants deflated, with underfilling as a key risk factor.
    • 20.4% experienced significant capsular contracture, associated with omitting intraluminal antibiotics/steroids and submammary placement.
    • 94.2% reported high satisfaction, and 94.8% would choose saline implants again, though dissatisfaction linked to breast firmness and desired size.

    Conclusions:

    • Saline-filled breast implants are a safe alternative to silicone gel-filled implants, offering high patient satisfaction.
    • Avoiding underfilling is critical to prevent deflation; intraluminal antibiotics/steroids reduce contracture but increase deflation risk.
    • Subpectoral placement decreases capsular contracture, and patients should be informed about potential reoperations.