Soybean Oil Breast Implants

Soybean oil breast implants have not been approved by the FDA for use in the United States, and although soybean oil breast implants are used in research, the studies are very small, with few women qualifying to participate. Soybean oil breast implants have been available for years in other countries, and have enjoyed great popularity overseas.

Soybean oil breast implants are available under the brand name Trilucent. The silicone shell used in soybean oil breast implants is filled with a refined triglyceride fat called Trilipid Z6. Developed in the 1980's, soybean oil breast implants represent an attempt by American scientist to develop a safe and realistic implant. Over 10,000 soybean oil breast implants have been sold, mostly in Europe. Despite the FDA ban, around seventy women received soybean oil breast implants in the United States and Canada, as part of clinical trials.

Some problems with soybean oil breast implants have been recorded, including the fact that they may obscure mammograms. However, unlike silicone, soybean oil breast implants do not so far appear to present any health risk related to leakage. When soybean oil breast implants used in trials leaked, the fluid was readily absorbed into the body tissue. Additionally, soybean oil breast implants appear less susceptible to capsular contracture (a common problem with silicone/saline) because soybean oil breast implants provide a less hospitable environment for bacteria growth than other types of implants.

Although soybean oil breast implants remain to be approved for sale in the United States, research continues, and eventually soybean oil breast implants may become available for patients seeking an alternative to silicone or saline. More information about soybean oil breast implants is available; consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to learn more to see if you qualify for clinical trials.