title: Mammary implants, diving, and altitude exposure.
abstract: Mammary implants were exposed to various simulated dive profiles followed by altitude exposures to stimulate aircraft travel and then were observed for bubble formation and volume changes. Minimal volume changes occurred after each dive. Numerous bubbles formed, however, reaching their maximum size in 3 hours. By comparison, when implants were exposed to high altitude following a dive exposure, significant volume changes occurred. This in vitro study showed that bubble formation and volume expansion occur after exposing implants to diving and altitude, but the circumstances required to produce these changes in vivo are extremely unlikely to occur normally.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Vann
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riefkohl
authors.forename: G S
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Georgiade
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Georgiade
mesh_terms: D000531:Altitude; D001274:Atmospheric Pressure / Q000009:adverse effects; D001940:Breast; D004242:Diving / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012965:Sodium Chloride
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D012965:Sodium Chloride