Biocompatibility of Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Silicone gel breast implants (SGBIs) have been used for elective cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedures. As with any procedure, the physician and the patient must weigh benefits and risks prior to surgery. Specifically, the risks of these implants must be weighed against the socio-psychological benefits of this elective procedure. There has been a particularly significant amount of media, legal, and scientific focus on the risks of these SGBIs. Despite the long clinical history of these implants, risk assessment must be based mostly on in vitro and animal testing, because of the limited availability of documented clinical data, and the limited number of well-designed clinical studies.