Saline Deflation: Managing Complexity and Challenges

Saline implants stand as a popular choice for individuals seeking breast augmentation or reconstruction. However, despite their widespread adoption, saline implants are not immune to the occasional occurrence of rupture, presenting a significant concern for both patients and practitioners.

In this episode, we talk about managing saline implants and discuss the aspects of breast implant surgery. With a keen focus on both the challenges and the innovative techniques inherent in this specialized field, we uncover the complexities of saline implant management and saline deflation.

Saline Devices and Their Complexity

Managing saline devices, often exceeding 400 CC's and even reaching up to 500 or 900 CC's in my own experience, presents a significant complexity. This complexity arises primarily from the inherent characteristics of saline implants, which lack the compressibility of their silicone gel counterparts. Unlike silicone gel implants, which can be compressed, saline implants maintain their full form, making them particularly challenging to manipulate, especially when placed beneath the breast fold.

Operating around these firm implants, especially from below, requires skill and precision. Our goal is to remove them without damage, keeping everything intact. However, doing this with saline implants requires careful planning and expertise.

Treating Ruptured Saline Implants

There are different approaches we can take when dealing with larger implants, like overfilled ones. We might opt for a traditional method or even a vertical approach. Throughout my career, situations have arisen where individuals, while visiting town, experienced a rupture in their saline device. Through the years, I've encountered numerous patients facing similar circumstances.

Essentially, within about a week of a rupture, the saline in the implant typically drains out harmlessly, as it's sterile and gets absorbed by the body without any issues. Patients should discuss with their surgeon and arrange for a replacement if desired. This process is somewhat traditional, and it's important to act relatively quickly because once the implant is removed, the pocket starts to close.

For patients with overfilled saline implants, I won't proceed with surgery without deflating the implant first. Deflating the implant is a safe procedure done using sterile techniques, similar to what's done if a rupture occurs.

Using Deflation to Visualize Breast Changes after Surgery

Often, patients don't have their implant information readily available, making it challenging to determine the exact fill volume. After controlled deflation in the office over a period of two to four weeks, the tissues settle down, offering a glimpse of their natural state. While it's not an exact replica due to the short timeframe, this visual assessment aids in understanding the current situation. It also facilitates discussions about additional procedures like skin lifts or fat transfers.

Retrieving pre-implantation photos can be difficult, especially if records are paper-based or the implanting surgeon has retired. In our system, everything is electronic, ensuring easy access to records through our app. I also provide patients with a video of their surgery, documenting the removal process and examining the implants. While deflation doesn't fully restore the breasts, it provides valuable insights, making it a useful tool for both patients and surgeons.

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Links and Resources

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About Dr. Rob

Dr. Robert Whitfield (https://www.drrobertwhitfield.com/dr-whitfield-2/)
In 2012, Dr. Whitfield came to Austin and became renowned for his breast surgery expertise. He set up his own practice in 2017. Here, he offers the men and women of Austin a full range of cosmetic procedures, both surgical and non-surgical, addressing the full array of breast, body and face.

Born and bred in Las Vegas, Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Whitfield received his medical degree from the University of Las Vegas School of Medicine. This was followed by six years of surgical training, as well as his plastic surgery residency at Indiana University Medical Center. He returned to Nevada for a one year microsurgery fellowship before settling down to practice and teach at the Medical College of Wisconsin for seven years.

Board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Whitfield’s approach to medicine has really been shaped by both his upbringing and his education. As a child of the “wild west,” he was born with an adventurous spirit. One of the reasons that he was drawn to plastic surgery is the constant innovation. In the field of plastic surgery, with innovative techniques and technologies developed each year, there are simply issues for which a solution has yet to be invented. Dr. Whitfield tempers his intrepid attitude with Midwestern pragmatism. It makes for a pretty winning combination.