Abstract: Characterizing the Viscoelastic Behavior of Implant Silicone Gels under Physiological Conditions

primary and 406 (36%) were secondary in which the patient had one or more previous breast augmentation procedures. Silicone gel implants were utilized in 471 (65%) of the primary and 324 (80%) of the secondary procedures. Operative technique involved a circumvertical or inverted-T mastopexy in 77% (n= 871) and a bilateral mastopexy in 93% of patients. The overall reoperation rate was 14.9% (13.2% of primary and 16.6% of secondary procedures) over a mean followup period of 43 months (range 4 months to 121 months). Tissue related complications consisting of recurrent or persistent ptosis and poor scaring were most common at 6.2% (n= 71). Implant related complications requiring a revision were most commonly a result of the patient’s desire to change implant size 3.1% (n=36) and capsular contracture Baker III/IV in 2.8% (n= 32). There were no cases of periprosthetic infection requiring explantation and no significant skin flap necrosis (> 2cm) or nipple areolar loss noted.