Despite the highly anticipated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of silicone gel implants for cosmetic purposes in 2006, saline-filled implants remain the most popular choice for primary breast augmentation, according to a study published in the March/April issue of Aesthetic Surgery Journal.
According to this survey, 60% of surgeons still were using saline implants, and the vast majority of these doctors selected saline implants for 75% to 100% of their patients undergoing first-time breast augmentation. The reported survey found that 80% of responding plastic surgeons had increased their use of silicone gel implants since their reintroduction in 2006. There were a number of reasons for choosing one implant type over another. Patient preference was the most common factor driving the choice of silicone gel implants.
The 27 questions included in the survey were posed to 1746 members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS). ASAPS members were selected for the study population in an attempt to gather data from surgeons who most likely perform the highest volume of primary breast augmentation procedures. Data was gathered over a 3-month period beginning in June 2007.
The survey gathered other practice data on primary breast augmentation including most common incision location, implant size and type, and complications:
- The majority of surgeons (64%) preferred an incision near the breast crease, while 25% preferred an incision around the bottom half of the areola.
- The average implant size reported by 81% of surgeons was 300 to 400 cc (which is approximately a small to a full ‘C’ cup bra).
- Smooth implants, rather than implants with a textured surface, were most often preferred by 92% of respondents because it was the surgeon’s preference, less wrinkling, or overall better results for the patient.
- Ninety-six percent of surgeons used round, rather than anatomically-shaped, implants.
- The most common position for implant placement was under the muscle (62% of surgeons).
- The most frequently reported early complication of primary breast augmentation was nipple sensation changes, while capsular contracture (breast firmness caused by scar tissue contracting around the implant) was the most commonly cited delayed complication.
According to recent data from ASAPS, breast augmentation was the top cosmetic surgical procedure in 2008, overtaking lipoplasty for the first time. In 2008, there were 355,671 breast augmentation procedures, up over 250% from 1997. According to the Society’s most recent statistics, 46% of breast augmentations in 2008 (including both primary and implant replacement procedures) were performed using silicone gel implants.
