Why Aren’t Breast Implant Examination Results Explained with Certainty?

Hello.

This is Mams Surgery and Plastic Surgery Clinic.

After breast augmentation surgery,

before undergoing a health checkup,

some people may worry

about whether it is safe to undergo the examination.

In particular, during mammography or ultrasound examinations,

some may feel anxious about whether the implants could be affected.

Why You Must Inform the Medical Staff Before the Examination

When undergoing a breast examination,

if you have implants,

a slightly different approach from the standard examination method

is required.

For mammograms,

the examination is performed with reduced compression,

while an ultrasound examination is also used

to examine the breasts in greater detail.

If you inform the medical staff of your surgical history in advance,

they can perform the examination more safely.

Why a “Suspected Rupture” Finding May Be Reported

During an examination,

some people may hear an ambiguous statement

that the implant appears to have ruptured.

From the patient’s perspective,

it can be difficult to understand the exact condition,

which often leads to frustration and confusion.

The phrase “it is not certain”

“may actually feel even more anxiety-provoking.”

These findings are related

to the structure of medical decision-making.

Findings Seen on Ultrasound

When an implant has ruptured,

an ultrasound may show a finding

that appears as though the shell has been disrupted.

In a normal condition,

the outer shell appears smooth and continuous,

but when a rupture occurs,

this structure may appear discontinuous.

These changes are characteristics

that an experienced medical professional

can distinguish relatively easily.

Why the Finding Is Still Not Stated Definitively

Even when these findings are present,

at the screening stage,

medical professionals often use the expression

“certain” cautiously.

This is because:

• A test specifically designed to confirm implant rupture is not performed

• Definitively stating that an implant has ruptured may disadvantage the physician

These two factors

work together.

Therefore, even when the possibility is high,

additional confirmation is often recommended

instead of using definitive language.

How to Confirm Whether an Implant Has Ruptured

Whether an implant has ruptured

can be assessed more clearly

by moving the breast while observing it on ultrasound.

During this process,

if movement of the implant contents can be seen,

it can help confirm

whether a rupture has occurred.

However, in actual clinical practice,

it may not always be possible to apply this method.

Effects of an Implant Rupture

An implant rupture

does not necessarily cause an immediate risk.

In many cases,

the rupture occurred a long time ago

and is only detected later during a screening examination.

In addition, a capsule forms around the implant,

so the contents often remain contained

for a certain period of time.

However, over time,

• Chronic inflammatory responses

• Development of a seroma

• Swelling of the lymph nodes

may occur,

so taking appropriate action at the right time is important.

Key Points to Understand

If you are told during a screening examination

that implant rupture is suspected,

it is necessary to understand this as a condition

in which the possibility of an actual rupture is high.

Even if there is no rupture,

there may still be a high likelihood

that a structural problem, such as capsular contracture,

has already developed.

Therefore, in this situation,

it may be considered the stage

at which implant removal or replacement

should be considered.

In such cases,

rather than simply monitoring the progress,

it is necessary to discuss the treatment direction thoroughly,

including implant removal or replacement,

and proceed accordingly.

Thank you.