Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
An Improved Mechanical Testing Method to Assess Bone-implant Anchorage
Published on: February 10, 2014
Detection of gel implant rupture: a clinical test
Insights
A simple clinical test accurately detects ruptured gel breast implants without capsular contracture. This method proved more effective than mammography in identifying implant rupture, offering a reliable diagnostic tool.
Area of Science:
- Plastic Surgery
- Radiology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Breast implants are common for augmentation and reconstruction.
- Rupture of silicone gel breast implants can occur.
- Detecting implant rupture is crucial for patient health and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a simple clinical test for detecting ruptured smooth, predominantly gel breast implants.
- To evaluate the accuracy of this clinical test compared to radiographic measures, specifically mammography.
- To assess the test's efficacy in the absence of capsular contracture.
Main Methods:
- A clinical examination method developed and used since 1979.
- Application of the test to approximately 630 patients with smooth, gel breast implants.
- Comparison of clinical test results with mammography findings and surgical confirmations where available.
Main Results:
- The clinical test successfully detected five ruptured implants among the examined patients.
- No false-positive results were recorded.
- No false-negative results were observed, though surgical confirmation was limited to 72 patients.
- The clinical test demonstrated higher accuracy than mammography for detecting rupture in non-contracted capsules.
Conclusions:
- The described clinical test is a rapid, simple, and highly accurate method for detecting ruptured smooth, predominantly gel breast implants.
- This clinical approach is superior to mammography for identifying implant rupture when capsular contracture is absent.
- The test offers a valuable, non-invasive diagnostic option for monitoring breast implant integrity.
Abstract:
This report outlines a simple clinical test for detection of a ruptured smooth, predominantly gel breast implant in a noncontracted capsule. The test is rapid and extremely simple to perform and has been used by me since 1979. Approximately 630 patients meeting these criteria have been examined with this method, many annually. Five ruptured implants were detected, and there were no false-positive results. There also were no false-negative results, although only 72 patients had surgical confirmation of implant integrity. The radiographic measures helpful for detecting a ruptured gel implant are also discussed. In this series, the clinical test was more accurate than mammography for detecting implant rupture in the absence of capsular contracture.
