Injecting liquid silicone to fill tissue can be administered subcutaneously or intra-tissue via syringe, rapidly expanding the local area. This method is convenient to use, simple to operate, and produces immediate, noticeable results. It was widely used in the 1950s and 1960s for rhinoplasty, breast augmentation, and treating unilateral facial atrophy. However, after extensive use in numerous cases over a long period, this formulation was found to have significant complications.The primary complication of liquid silicone breast augmentation is granuloma formation at the injection site. This can manifest years after injection, sometimes as late as a decade or more. Experimental studies involving subcutaneous, intradermal, and intraperitoneal injections in rabbits, dogs, monkeys, and other animals revealed that liquid silicone remains in an oily liquid state post-injection. It infiltrates and diffuses within tissues, forming silicone droplets of varying sizes.Depending on the injected volume and depth, this triggers varying degrees of inflammatory response, leading to the formation of fibrotic capsules of differing sizes. In severe cases, dermal or subdermal tissue destruction may occur within the skin, resulting in granulomas. Intraperitoneal injection can cause focal atrophy of the omentum or mesenteric fat. In 1965, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration explicitly restricted its similar use.
What are the risks of liquid silicone for breast augmentation?
Severe complications have been reported in China. Our hospital has treated two reconstructive cases.One male patient, aged 30, underwent liquid silicone injection in the left cheek for cosmetic purposes at a beauty salon. Two years post-procedure, multiple hard nodules formed subcutaneously at the injection site, accompanied by skin redness, swelling, and deformation. Facial nerve involvement caused ipsilateral corner-of-mouth drooping, severely affecting appearance. Surgical debridement was performed, but the procedure was significantly complicated by the formation of granulomas of varying sizes due to silicone diffusion.Even after reconstructive surgery, his appearance remained severely compromised. Another case involved a young female patient who experienced pain, redness, and significant outward protrusion at the nasal root with marked tenderness following liquid silicone rhinoplasty. She underwent liquid silicone removal at our hospital. After inflammation subsided, solid silicone rhinoplasty was performed, yielding satisfactory results.
What are the dangers of liquid silicone for breast augmentation?
Due to its significant risks, liquid silicone is no longer used in most hospitals in China. Even when applied for specific reasons, extreme caution is exercised. However, some unregulated beauty salons still use it to meet patient demands. We urge all beauty enthusiasts to exercise high vigilance to prevent unnecessary accidents from recurring.
While liquid silicone injections can achieve breast augmentation, the risks outlined above should make it clear that this practice carries significant dangers. Women seeking beauty enhancements should exercise caution.