The New Type of Breast Implant

Breast augmentation is far and away the most common type of plastic surgery among wome. For years, the available implants have been restricted to silicone and saline types; for years, many women have suffered reactions and difficulties with those implants. Women are finding that normal scar tissue build-up that occurs in their breasts sometimes leads to ruptures or leaks and, sometimes, more surgery.


Not everyone is standing by to watch implant mishaps. Judit Puskas is taking time from her role as professor at Akron University to develop a new type of implant made of “biorubber.” The hope for these new implants is, ultimately, that they would be less likely to rupture. Other benefits are said to include lighter materials and a release of medications that prevent scar tissue. This incredible breakthrough is waiting approval for an eleven-year, ten-million dollar study.

Recently, silicone was deemed safe by the FDA, stating that silicone has not been reasonably linked to cancer or disease. They also concluded that the risks involved with a silicone type breast implant are clearly noted and are discussed between a woman and her doctor before the surgery. Janet Puskas is not convinced that silicone should be the only option, however, and is ready to begin work on the new biorubber design. If approved, the studies would begin by testing the properties of the prototype. Soon, the material would be tested in lab studies and on animals, with the future goal being clinical studies.

Even as technology and medicine develop, invasive procedures such as breast enhancement will probably never be without risk. But, as Ms. Puskas hopes, the chances of unsatisfactory results may be greatly reduced in time.