-Short Communication-

An Experimental Analysis of Silicone Leakage

Takafumi Chin^1,2, Kyoko Kobe¹, Hiko Hyakusoku¹, Kyoko Uekusa³, Keiko Hirakawa³ and Youkichi Ohno³

¹Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Regenerative Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School Hospital
²Keisei Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Osaka
³NMR Laboratory, Nippon Medical School

We analyzed whether gel bleed, the leakage of silicone gel from breast implants, occurs in the human body. We simulated the phenomenon with olive oil. Silicone breast implants were submerged in olive oil, and the concentration of silicone polymers in the olive oil was measured periodically with nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We found no increase in the silicone concentration. However, clinical conditions might not be adequately simulated because of the shortness of the experimental period and the lack of external stress. However, when clinical experiences and our data are considered, we think that silicone implant durability is an important factor to prevent leakage or gel bleeding.

J Nippon Med Sch 2009; 76: 109-112

Keywords
bleeding, leakage, mammary prostheses, implants, silicone

Correspondence to
Takafumi Chin, Keisei Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 3-4-22 Minami Semba, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, 542-0081, Japan
chin@peach.plala.or.jp

Received, December 8, 2008
Accepted, February 12, 2009