SYSTEMIC SYMPTOMS IN WOMEN WITH BREAST IMPLANTS
- BII – Breast Implant Illness
- SSBI – Systemic Symptoms associated with Breast Implants
Some women have reported a variety of systemic symptoms following the placement of breast implants. BII or SSBI are terms that have been used to describe these symptoms. It is important to note that BII/ SSBI is not a form of cancer. It is distinct from a separate entity, BIA-ALCL.
Information regarding the number of medical device reports of SSBI can be found on the FDA’s website. Medical Device Reports for Systemic Symptoms in Women with Breast Implants | FDA
Symptoms that have been reported are varied and include, but are not limited to:
- Fatigue
- Joint and muscle pain
- Difficulty with memory or concentration
- Anxiety/ depression
These symptoms have been reported to have onset anywhere from immediately to years following implantation.
Many women have chosen to have their implants removed secondary to the concern of SSBI. Although some women report improvement with symptoms following breast implant removal, the cause of the symptoms and the degree to which they may be related to breast implants are unclear at this time.
This continues to be an area of significant research efforts within the plastic surgery community. Below are links to the most current literature related to this topic, with a summary of each page beneath its link.
This study addresses one of the most discussed questions by plastic surgeons, patients, their advocates, and social media. The findings show that patients who self-report BII demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in their symptoms after explantation and that this improvement persists for at least six months. This improvement in self-reported systemic symptoms was seen regardless of the type of capsulectomy performed.
Heavy Metals in Breast Implant Capsules and Breast Tissue: Findings from the Systemic Symptoms in Women–Biospecimen Analysis Study: Part 2 | Aesthetic Surgery Journal | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
This study analyzes the metal content in capsules surrounding saline and silicone breast implants. Heavy metals were also detected in the non-implant control group breast tissue, with some metals at numerically higher levels than in either breast implant cohort. Smoking, gluten-free diets, dietary supplements, and tattoos were all identified as statistically significant sources of arsenic and zinc in Cohort A. The risk of heavy metal toxicity should not be used as an indication for total capsulectomy if patients elect to remove their breast implants.
Microbes, Histology, Blood Analysis, Enterotoxins, and Cytokines: Findings From the ASERF Systemic Symptoms in Women–Biospecimen Analysis Study: Part 3 | Aesthetic Surgery Journal | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
This study adds to the current literature by demonstrating a few identifiable biomedical markers that explain the systemic symptoms self-reported by patients with BII.
Longevity of Post-Explantation Systemic Symptom Improvement and Potential Etiologies: Findings From the ASERF Systemic Symptoms in Women–Biospecimen Analysis Study: Part 4 | Aesthetic Surgery Journal | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
Parts 1–3 in this series concluded that there were no consistent differences in biospecimen results between the cohorts. Unlike the data observed in the biospecimen analysis, BII patients had heightened symptoms and poorer.