Elsevier Biomaterials in Plastic Surgery: Breast Implants (Woodhead Publishing Series in Biomaterials)

Biomaterials in plastic surgery reviews the history, materials and safety issues associated with breast implants. Beginning with an introduction to the history of biomaterials used for breast augmentation, the book goes on to discuss development issues. It then discusses the chemistry and physical properties of biomedical silicones before reviewing cohesive gel and polyurethane foam implants. The book concludes by analysing the epidemiological evidence on the safety issues relating to breast implants, followed by a review of retrieval and analysis of breast implants emphasizing strength, durability and failure mechanisms. Key Features: comprehensively examines the history, materials and safety issues associated with breast implants; provides an overview of the history of biomaterials used for breast augmentation and goes on to discuss the development and chemical and physical properties of biomedical silicones; reviews cohesive gel breast implants and polyurethane foam breast implants. Contents: The history of biomaterials used for breast augmentation; The development of breast implants; The chemistry and physical properties of biomedical silicones; Cohesive gel breast implants; Polyurethane foam breast implants; The safety of breast implants: recent epidemiological studies; Failure modes of breast implants.