Background: Breast augmentation can be done using two different types of implants, saline and silicone. (technically three if you include the saline-filled Ideal implant) Both type of breast implant has their own unique advantage sand disadvantages Silicone offers the most natural feel and an implant that will probably last longer as it can not undergo a spontaneous deflation. But these benefits come at a higher cost of the implant.
Saline breast implants have as their main advantage that they are the most economical of all breast implants. They also can be inserted with the smallest incision as they are deflated and rolled to pass through the skin entrance site and then are subsequently inflated to the desired volume size. Such characteristics make them appealing to many younger women who may be more financially challenged and are often the most concerned about incisional scars.
Case Study: This 19 year-old female wanted saline breast augmentation. Her mother and her two sisters had prior breast augmentation over ten years ago with saline implants and have never had a problem yet.
Under general anesthesia through a 2.5 cm transaxillary incision, 200cc saline implants with 11.5 cm base diameter were placed in the submuscular position and inflated to 250ccs. This was done in a non-endoscopic fashion.
Her early two week result showed good symmetric implant placement and incisions that already looked good as this early point. In a few months these scars will fade and will probably be very hard to find.
While breast implants and the surgical technique to place them continue to evolve, the ‘old’ transaxillary saline breast augmentation technique continues to produce successful results for the patient who is willing to accept a saline-filled implant.
Highlights:
1) Saline breast implants remain popular particularly amongst young women.
2) The deflated and rolled insertion method for saline implants allows them to be placed through the smallest possible incision.
3) The transxillary incision for saline implants still remains a preferred method for their placement.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana