In the October 2012 issue of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Journal, Atlanta plastic surgeon Dr. Hunter Moyer conducted a study titled, “The Effect of Silicone Gel Bleed on Capsular Contracture” with Drs. Ghazi and Losken, also from Atlanta. In the study, the latest generation silicone gel breast implants, also known as highly cohesive gel implants, were tested for its effect on a common breast implant complication. Capsular contracture is an implant complication that occurs when the body forms excess scar tissue around an implant, creating a hardened breast texture and appearance. Dr. Moyer’s study explored how silicone gel bleed, or when the silicone fill of an implant leaks out of the shell, affected the breast.

The use of silicone breast implants in breast augmentation and breast reconstruction is increasing each year, according to statistics published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. The highly cohesive silicone implants used in the study are Mentor’s Contour Profile Gel® (CPG) and Allergan’s Natrelle 410® implants. Since these implants are fairly new, Dr. Moyer has extensively researched the safety of these breast implants in his lab both at Emory and Georgia Tech.

Results conclude that the silicone gel fill does not harm the patient’s body, as the new implants are stronger and safer, and that even in the event of an implant rupture, the body will react locally but not systemically. Dr. Moyer continues investigating techniques and new developments in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

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