Thursday 7 August 2014

Silicone gel breast implants: Science and testing

Silicone gel breast implants: Science and testing. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, July 2014, Vol.134 (1s).

Kinney, B.M., et al.

http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg/Fulltext/2014/07001/Silicone_Gel_Breast_Implants___Science_and_Testing.9.aspx


Since the first generation of breast implants, major design innovations, including consistency of the gel, palpability and thickness of the shell, and barrier materials in the shell, have been introduced. Surgeons have not had metrics to assess and compare available implants.
Methods: Research at independent laboratories included 4 tests: gel elasticity (the gel’s ability to retain its shape), gel compression fracture (the resistance to permanent gel deformation), gel-shell peel (the integration of the gel with shell as a cohesive unit), and morphological analysis.