Advantages and disadvantages of silicone and saline breast implants
| Advantages | Disadvantages | |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone | Consistency with palpation mimics dense, natural breast tissue Quicker adjustment to alterations in the external environment | Exposure to silicone in the event of rupture, and rupture not immediately evident Higher initial cost (nearly double that of saline implants), including cost of recommended monitoring (imaging) to ensure implant integrity |
| Saline | Only a small incision is required for implant insertion (implant filled with saline to desired volume through a port) Saline is safely absorbed by the body in the event of rupture, and rupture is immediately evident (breast deflation) No concern for silicone exposure in the event of rupture | Overfilling leads to increased firmness, palpability of the implant edge Underfilling results in rippling and a higher risk of rupture from the shell folding upon itself Consistency with palpation mimics water (as opposed to natural breast tissue) Slow to adjust to alterations in the external environment (eg, feels cold after swimming) Slightly higher rate of rupture |