Silicone vs Saline Implants

All currently available breast implants consist of an outer casing (the ‘shell’ or ‘wall’) and an inner filler material.  Irrespective of whether the implant is filled with saline or silicone, the walls of all implants are basically the same - a silicone rubber.  Essentially, therefore, it is only the inner filler material that distinguishes one implant type from another.  This inner material can be Saline (salt water), Silicone Gel or a combination of both.

Silicone and saline implants have different characteristics and the following table summarises the main points of difference between the two:

	Saline Implants	Silicone Gel Implants
Outer Casing or “Shell”	Silicone Rubber	Silicone Rubber
Filler Material	Saline (Salt Water)	Cohesive Silicone Gel
'Feel' of the Implants to Touch	Less natural (more of a 'waterbed' feel) & therefore less popular	More natural (approximates the consistency of breast tissue) & therefore more popular
Consequences of Rupture	A Saline Implant simply deflates. The saline is absorbed by the surrounding tissues without any tissue reaction or harmful effect.	Cohesive Gel has a shape-retaining memory and should not leak out of the implant in the event of wall rupture like the former liquid silicone implants.
Chances of Spontaneous Deflation	Possible. It has been estimated that as many as 50% of patients who have saline implants in for 7 years will experience leaking and deflation. Also Saline Implants with a valve are more likely to leak than pre-filled Saline Implants without a valve.	None
Possibility of Silicone Gel “Bleed” through the Shell	None	Possible
Chances of Surface Wrinkling/Rippling	Greater	Less
Chances of Capsular Contracture	Less (approx 3%)	Greater (approx 5 - 8%)