Spontaneous autoinflation of saline-filled mammary implants : Postoperative volume determination by magnetic resonance imaging

• Published in: Aesthetic plastic surgery Vol. 23; no. 6; pp. 437 - 442
• Main Authors: TUNCALI, D, OZGÜR, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Springer 01-11-1999
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Breast - pathology; Breast Implants; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Medical sciences; Postoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Prosthesis Failure; Silicone Gels; Sodium Chloride; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the genital tract and mammary gland; Human; Spontaneous; Inflation(economy); Increase; Epidemiology; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Incidence; Plasty; Mammary gland diseases; Treatment; Surgery; Medical imagery; Complication; Mammary gland; Saline solution; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 0364-216X; 1432-5241
• DOI: 10.1007/s002669900316

Autoinflation of saline-filled mammary implants has recently been reported in the literature. Except for a few controversial hypotheses, the cause of autoinflation has not been clarified. The need to remove implants for accurate measurement of fill volume has been a deterrent to studies of autoinflation. To measure in situ volumes of saline-filled mammary implants, a noninvasive technique using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was developed. Measurements were performed manually on every MRI slice by tracing the outline of the implant with a hand-driven cursor. The accuracy of this MRI technique was assessed by measurements of tissue expanders containing known volumes of saline. To evaluate for autoinflation in mammary implants, a prospective clinical study to compare initial fill volumes of saline-filled mammary implants with 3- and 18-month postoperative volumes, calculated from magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies, was designed. A total of 12 patients (23 breast implants) implanted between 1994 and 1996 was included in the study. Volume data were compared by statistical analysis. MRI-determined volumes 3 months postoperatively were significantly larger than reported initial fill volumes, indicating that most saline-filled mammary implants included in the study autoinflated to some extent. Comparison of MRI-determined volumes 3 and 18 months postoperatively revealed no significant differences, indicating that saline-filled mammary implants remain stable and inflated between 3 and 18 months postoperatively. As a result of this study we believe that autoinflation of saline-filled mammary implants occurs more frequently than previously thought.