Women Are Replacing Old Breast Implants With New

Results of a study conducted by the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (ASPRS) showed that 84% of women who have had their breast implants removed have replaced them with new implants. In 1998, 32,262 women with breast augmentation had their breast implants removed, and 27,320 of them opted for new implants.

Breast implant removals have increased 76% since 1992, with only 4% of patients having them removed due to their concern over the safety of breast implants. “The increase in breast implant removals most likely reflects implants that were inserted prior to 1992,” says ASPRS President Paul Schnur, MD. “Women are comfortable about the safety of their breast implants so as their implants age, we will continue to see more implant exchanges.”

Currently, most women receive implants consisting of silicone rubber shells that are filled with sterile saltwater. In this study, 93% of implants were removed due to physical symptoms, such as signs of rupture or capsular contracture. “If a saline implant leaks or ruptures, the saltwater is harmlessly absorbed by the body and the implant is removed and replaced,” says Dr. Schnur.

Other reasons for removal of the implants included capsular contracture (ie, a hardening of the breast due to tightening of the scar or capsule around the implant). This study also found that 53% of patients whose breast implants were removed required removal or scoring of scar tissue.