Ruptured B-Lite® Breast Implants
B-Lite® breast implants are manufactured in Germany and are not FDA-approved for use in the U.S. These implants are encased by a silicone shell (much like traditional silicone and saline implants) and come in both round and anatomical shapes as well as various textures. However, the filler material is made of a composite material containing cohesive silicone gel and hollow borosilicate microspheres. The result is a lightweight implant with a lower rate of gel migration than other cohesive silicone alternatives. Patients who underwent their initial breast augmentation with B-Lite® implants in Europe and experienced implant rupture often seek Dr. Linder’s help for explanation or implant replacement.
B-Lite® implants are susceptible to trauma in the same way as other types of breast implants, although they are designed to withstand pressures of over 200 psi (>13 atm). Some of the most common causes of B-Lite® implant failure include the following:
- Surgical damage
- Blunt trauma
- Shell degradation
- Chest injury
- Mechanical pressure (i.e., mammograms)
Symptoms of Ruptured B-Lite® Implants
When a silicone implant ruptures, there is a chance of severe complications related to gel migration. Fortunately, if a B-Lite® implant fails, there is minimal to no risk of phagocytosis or lymphatic drainage response. Due to the nature of these implants, the breast also unlikely to experience loss of fullness or significant shape distortion. Noticeable symptoms of an immune reaction to foreign bodies, such as the microsphere filler in B-Lite® implants, include:
- Swelling
- Pain
- Development of granulomas
- Redness
Diagnosis of Implant Rupture
Because B-Lite® implants are filled with a highly cohesive silicone gel and microsphere composite, a rupture is not easily diagnosed by external examination. Patients who experience any of the symptoms listed above should seek further analysis from an experienced plastic surgeon. Mammograms, ultrasounds, and CT scans can be used to detect a ruptured B-Lite® implant, but the most reliable imaging test is an MRI.
Corrective Procedures
All ruptured implants must be treated immediately to maintain the integrity of the breast pocket and the patient’s overall health. B-Lite® implants can be removed with or without replacement, and an open capsulectomy should be performed to remove the scar tissue capsule and calcified granulomas. Dr. Linder does not utilize B-Lite® implants at his Beverly Hills practice, but he can replace them with FDA-approved silicone or saline implants.