Researchers find promise in "gummy bear" cohesive silicone breast implants

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Breast implants have been the subject of hot debate since the FDA approved the limited return of silicone breast implants to the market.  These silicone implants were pulled off the market in 1992 due to major concerns over implant safety, particularly the high volume of reports involving implant rupture and leakage.  For over a decade, silicone breast implants were only available for reconstructive and clinical trial purposes.

In addition to the return of silicone breast implants, many people have been talking about a new type of implant which is still in the clinical trial phase.  These implants have already earned the nickname “gummy bear” implants because they are made of cohesive silicone gel that resembles the texture and consistency of the gummy candy.  Staying true to their nickname, these implants can be stretched and pulled while still remaining intact and in proper shape. 

While such manipulation is not recommended, their ability to withstand such handling is a promising feature of these new cohesive silicone gel implants.  These implants are designed so that if they should leak or rupture, the filler material will bind to itself.  This reduces the risk that a leak or rupture will cause filler materials to migrate past the breast implant capsule and pose further health risks. 

Breast implant manufacturers claim that cohesive silicone gel breast implants are highly desirable for two major reasons.  First and foremost, researchers believe that the cohesive gel implant may be the solution to the most legitimate concerns about silicone implants: discovery and removal of silicone outside the implant capsule.  If the filler material binds to itself, as researchers have discovered, the risk of silicone spreading to other areas of the body is greatly reduced or diminished. 

Cohesive silicone gel implants also look and feel a lot like natural breast tissue.  These implants will provide yet another safe and effective option for women wishing to enhance the shape and size of their breasts for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes. 

While the FDA has only granted preliminary approval for one type of silicone implant, the safety of all silicone breast implants has, again, become a major consumer concern.  Since the recall of these implants in 1992, researchers have continued to evaluate the safety of silicone implants.  National Institutes of Health researchers have conducted a number of studies, all of which have discovered no link to silicone implants and autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other diseases.  Researchers have also found no link between breast cancer and silicone breast implants. 

According to numerous studies, the only major risks associated with silicone breast implants are local complications like capsular contracture (scar tissue which squeezes on the implants) and the migration of silicone after rupture or leak.  The new cohesive silicone gel implants provide a promising solution to some of these major safety concerns. 


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