Breast implant (silicone implant)

A breast implant is an arti­fi­ci­al insert used in breast aug­men­ta­ti­on or in recon­s­truc­tion after breast can­cer. Modern implants con­sist of a mul­ti-laye­red sili­co­ne shell fil­led with a form-sta­ble, cohe­si­ve sili­co­ne gel. Sali­ne-fil­led implants are used less often.

Appli­ca­ti­on

Implants dif­fer in shape, volu­me, pro­jec­tion and sur­face. The choice depends on build, breast width, skin qua­li­ty and the desi­red result. During a breast aug­men­ta­ti­on, the implant is inser­ted through a small incis­i­on, usual­ly in the fold beneath the breast, and pla­ced in front of or behind the chest mus­cle depen­ding on the start­ing situation.

Good to know

Breast implants do not last a life­time, alt­hough the­re is no fixed date for repla­cing them. Pos­si­ble long-term issues include cap­su­lar con­trac­tu­re, a rup­tu­red shell or a chan­ge in posi­ti­on. Very rare­ly, a lym­pho­ma asso­cia­ted with tex­tu­red implants (BIA-ALCL) can deve­lop. Regu­lar check-ups, with ultra­sound or MRI whe­re nee­ded, are the­r­e­fo­re advisable.

Matching tre­at­ment at Swiss Der­ma Cli­nic: Breast aug­men­ta­ti­on with implants