Lingering questions persist about a possible relationship between silicone gel implants and undifferentiated CTD symptoms. Known risks of implants include rupture, deflation, and leakage. Saline implants are more vulnerable to damage and deflation than silicone gel implants. Rupture of saline implants results in rapid deflation and harmless reabsorption of the saline by the body. Rupture of silicone gel implants can result in changes in breast size, breast appearance, pain, burning, or changes in sensation.
Some women appear to be asymptomatic when their silicone gel implants rupture.
With the possible exception of a specific magnetic resonance imaging technique, there are no uniformly reliable tests for diagnosing rupture in patients with implants. Ultrasound studies and some specially tailored mammographic studies are of selective value for some women. Another known risk of implants is capsular contraction, which is a constriction of the scar tissue envelope around the implant. This contracture can result in pain, hardening, or changes in appearance. Historically, some contractures have been treated by closed capsulotomy, which ruptures the scar envelope using squeezing pressure to the breast.