Pressure resistance of breast implants as a function of implantation time.

Using a relatively simple test, breaking pressures of 50 gel-filled breast implants that had to be removed have been evaluated. These pressures values were compared with forces generated in executing closed capsulotomy (nutcracker method). It is shown that there is a negative correlation between pressure resistance of breast implants and duration of implantation. After an implantation time of more than five years, our advice is to perform closed capsulotomy if done in a very gentle way, and implant rupture then certainly has to be taken into account.