Potential Silicone Breast Implant Complications

Undergoing any type of surgical procedure involves risks (some serious) such as the effects of anesthesia, infection, swelling, redness, bleeding, pain, and even death, which need to be balanced against the benefits of the breast augmentation surgery. There are potential complications specific to breast implant surgery and breast implants, as described below. It should also be noted that the cited references include augmentation and/or reconstruction patients, as well as from a variety of manufacturers and implant models.

The most common complications experienced within the first 4 years of implantation for primary augmentation were reoperation (24% or approximately 24 patients out of 100) and capsular contracture (13% or 13 patients out of 100). This means that 24 out of every 100 women who received Allergan implants for primary augmentation had a reoperation during the first 4 years after receiving the implants. The most common complications experienced within the first 4 years of implantation for revision-augmentation patients were reoperation (35% or approximately 35 patients out of 100) and capsular contracture (17% or 17 patients out of 100). Some complications occurred more than once for some patients.

The scar tissue (capsule) that normally forms around the implant may tighten over time and compress the implant, making it feel firm and leading to what is called capsular contracture. Capsular contracture may be more common following infection, hematoma, and seroma, and the chance of it happening may increase over time. Capsular contracture occurs more commonly in revision-augmentation than in primary augmentation. Because you may have your initial implants replaced, you should be aware that your risk of capsular contracture increases with revision-augmentation. Capsular contracture is a risk factor for implant rupture, and it is the most common reason for reoperation.