Indications and practical applications for high-profile saline breast implants.

BACKGROUND High-profile round saline breast implants that permit a better match of implant diameter to the base diameter of the breast are now available. OBJECTIVE The advantages and disadvantages of high-profile breast implants are defined from the point of view of the author's initial experience. METHODS The maximal optimal breast implant was determined on the basis of preoperative measurements, with emphasis on breast base diameter. Patients selected implant size using trial implants in a bra of the desired cup size. The implant profile with the best match to breast base diameter at the selected size range was used. RESULTS Sixty-seven patients, of a total of 164 patients who received saline breast implants during a 14-month period, received high-profile breast implants. CONCLUSIONS High-profile saline implants provide a useful option for the patient who desires an implant size that exceeds the natural breast base diameter in standard profiles. Rippling may be diminished in these cases. A more conical shape may be achieved in cases of periareolar mastopexy with augmentation. Disadvantages of the high-profile design include less mobility of the implant and a less obtuse transition from the chest to the upper breast compared with results achieved with standard round implants.