Breast implant surgeries have been performed for more than 40 years. As years go by, improvements and refinement to the techniques and materials involved has made the procedure safer for most women. When it comes to breast implant options, saline breast implants seem to be the inferior alternative to silicone gel breast implants. Thanks to removal of silicone gel implants in the market in 1992 to 2006, saline implants have gained more confidence and acceptance among patients. Since 2000, the Food and drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of saline implants and was always been made available for breast augmentation procedures worldwide.
What are saline breast implants?
Saline implants are basically saline solutions in a sac. It makes use of a silicone elastomer shell that is surgically implanted under the chest tissues of muscle. During the procedure, a valve is used to fill the shell with the agreed amount of saltwater solution, which achieves significant improvements and increases to bust size. Although pre-filled saline implants are available, no pre-filled saline breast implants are approved by the FDA at this time.
Saline implants vary in shell surface. It is available in both smooth and textured varieties. Other features include shell thickness, shape and profile. Implant size ranges from 120 cc to 960 cc. patients who would like to go bigger than that would have to order for custom-made saline implants. The sterile saline solution used in the procedure must conform to the United States Pharmacopeia of Norma Physiological Saline. Common saline solutions used on breast implants have 0.12M concentration and a pH of 7.2 to 7.4.
Anatomy of Saline Breast Implants
Like the more popular standard silicone gel implants, saline breast implants offer greater varieties in terms of size, shape and texture. It makes use of smooth or textured casing, depending on the patient’s preferences. Unlike other implant materials, saline implants assumes more placement possibilities, which include subglandular or over the muscle, partial submuscular or partial muscle coverage and complete submuscular or underneath the muscle. The implants may also be placed using various types of incision including inframammary (the crease between the chest and breast), transaxillary (armpit), periareolar (nipple) or TUBA or belly button. One advantage that saline implants gain over silicone gel implants is that they require smaller and shorter incisions since they will be filled after placement. In addition, the size or shape of saline implants are easier to adjust or can be adjusted after surgery.
Results
In general, the main disadvantage of saline breast implants is their feel. Silicone implants achieves a naturally softer feel. In terms of ripple factor, care must be observed in maintaining saline implants. Rippling occurs only when the saline fill and elastic polymer shell of the implants interact with one another, resulting to a crepe-like skin. This emphasizes the importance of following the surgeon’s post-operative and implant maintenance instructions to the letter.
Current Issues
The main controversy behind saline breast implants is largely centered on the event that the implant shell ruptures. When a saline implant ruptures, it will simply deflate and cause a change in the size and shape of the breast. The saline solution that leaked through the implant membrane will be absorbed by the body without risks of serious complications. This makes saline implants safer than silicone. Ruptured standards silicone implants poses more serious health risks as they contain viscous silicone gel, which might be harmful to the health.
Are saline implants safe?
Apparently, the FDA maintains stringent rules on the standards upheld in the manufacture and practice of saline implants and saline implant surgeries. This government arm is consistent in keeping an eye on the quality assurance of saline implant manufacturers, which in a way assures the public that they will be given nothing but FDA-approved implants that are safe for general use. In addition, long-term follow-up studies regarding breast implants include saline implants. These are studies in which the researchers are assigned to look for evidences on the continued safety and effectiveness of breast implants. However, a thorough physical examination and evaluation is essential in ensuring satisfying results for saline implant surgeries.
When are saline implants more appropriate?
Silicone implants are more popular than saline implants but they are relatively more costly. However, there are cases when silicone implants are not the best option for breast augmentation. For instance, saline breast implants are recommended for women who have small size of discrepancy. Saline implants can give them more symmetrical breasts. Also, saline implants are less costly, yet equally effective. Women who have a lot of natural padding to cover usually turn to saline implants to reduce surgical costs.
Bottom line
The decision to use saline implants would depend on your body type, target increase in breast size and budget. In general, saline breast implants cost $1,000 less than silicone gel-filled implants. Although the option on which breast implant to choose is entirely personal, feel free to discuss your options with your surgeon.