Silicone deposition in reconstruction scars of women with silicone breast implants.
BACKGROUND
The possible association of silicone breast implants and disease is a subject of continuous debate and concern.


OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to examine microscopically and ultrastructurally the periprosthetic fibrous capsules and reconstruction scars of women with silicone breast implants.


METHODS
Representative samples from the periprosthetic capsules and reconstruction scars from six women with silicone breast implants were examined by a variety of light microscopy techniques, transmission electron microscopy, and electron probe microanalysis.


RESULTS
Silicone globules of various sizes were identified in every periprosthetic capsule and reconstruction scar.


CONCLUSIONS
Extrusion and seeding of the incision tract during surgery most likely accounts for the presence of silicone in the reconstruction scar specimens. This observation suggests that the identification of silicone in the reconstruction scars of women with silicone breast implants does not necessarily implicate rupture of the silicone breast implant with systemic dissemination of silicone gel.
Raso
D S
DS
Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston 29425, USA.
Greene
W B
WB
Harley
R A
RA
Maize
J C
JC
D018427:Breast Implants; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D003238:Connective Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery / Q000648:ultrastructure; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012828:Silicones / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure
D012828:Silicones