Jul 7, 2009

What Implants Are Used In Breast Augmentation?

By Virginia Anthony

Saline implants, silicone gel implants, first, second, third, fourth and fifth generation implants are the more common implants used in breast augmentation operations.

Saline-filled breast implants, first manufactured in France in 1964, introduced by Arion were surgically placed via smaller incisions. Current saline devices are manufactured with thicker, room temperature vulcanized (RTV) shells than earlier generations of devices. These shells are made of a silicone elastomer and the implants are filled with salt water (saline) after the implant is placed in the body.

Plastic surgeons first invented the first silicone breast prosthesis with the Dow Corning Corporation in 1961. The first woman was imbedded in 1962. Silicone implants are ordinarily described in terms of five generations which segregate mutual characteristics of manufacturing techniques.

First generation or the Original Cronin-Gerow Implant was first created in 1963. The Cronin-Gerow implants were made of a tear drop shaped silicone rubber envelope (or sac), filled with a thick, viscous silicone gel with a Dacron patch (to reduce rotation of the implant) on the posterior shell. In response to surgeons' requests for softer and more lifelike implants, breast implants were redesigned in the 1970s with thinner, less cohesive gel and thinner shells.

Third & fourth generation implants, from the mid 1980s, represented sequential advances in manufacturing principles with elastomer-coated shells to diminish gel bleed, and are filled with thicker, more cohesive gel. The increased cohesion of the gel filler decreased potential leakage of the gel compared to earlier devices and the more significant shell improved durability as compared to 2nd generation implants.

Fifth generation also known as "gummy bear" or solid, high-cohesive, form-stable implants is in preliminary stages in the United States but these implants have been widely used since the mid 1990s in other countries. The semi-solid gel in these types of implants largely eliminates the possibility of silicone migration.

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