title: Anatomically shaped breast prosthesis in vivo: a change of dimension?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In addition to the already existing round cohesive gel-filled breast prostheses, anatomically shaped breast prostheses were introduced in 1990 to provide a more natural shape to the augmented or reconstructed breast. To date, however, it is unclear whether the anatomic configuration of the prostheses is maintained after subpectoral implantation. Recently, a three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique became available, offering a precise visualization of the prosthesis in vivo. Using this 3D MRI technique, this study aimed to compare the shape of commercially available round and anatomically shaped silicone gel-filled breast prostheses before and after implantation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using 3D MRI, 6 conventionally round and 12 symmetrically shaped silicone gel-filled prostheses were scanned in vitro. Scans were made in vivo 6 weeks after subpectoral implantation of these prostheses in nine patients. The in vivo 3D images were compared with the in vitro 3D images.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, a 3.5% decrease in projection was found on the in vivo images, as compared with the in vitro images. On the craniocaudally oriented images, a slight lateral shift of the cohesive gel was observed in the majority of the prostheses. Inamed Style 510 prostheses showed the best in vivo preservation of their configuration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results show that both the round and the anatomically shaped silicone prostheses in vivo largely maintain their original in vitro configuration after subpectoral implantation.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tergooiziekenhuizen Hilversum, Van Riebeeckweg 212, 1213 XZ Hilversum, The Netherlands.
authors: Martine D
authors: MD
authors: Nipshagen
authors: Werner H
authors: WH
authors: Beekman
authors: Danielle L
authors: DL
authors: Esmé
authors: Jan
authors: J
authors: de Becker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019928:Breast Implantation; D018427:Breast Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D020034:Silicone Gels
chemical_list: D020034:Silicone Gels