Open AccessPhysical Characterization of Breast Implants Submitted to High Energy X-Rays
Author(s) -
Sandra Johana Patiño Leiva,
María Cristina Plazas,
Lisette Barreto
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
tecciencia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2422-3670
pISSN - 1909-3667
DOI - 10.18180/tecciencia.2019.26.8
Subject(s) - silicone , prosthesis , characterization (materials science) , radiation therapy , materials science , breast reconstruction , implant , biomedical engineering , irradiation , high energy , medical physics , medicine , dentistry , composite material , surgery , breast cancer , nanotechnology , engineering physics , physics , cancer , nuclear physics
Based on clinical experience and various studies, it has been found that breast prostheses present failures that are related to a radiotherapy treatment. However, there are currently few studies that analyze the impact of radiotherapy on the material of the prosthesis. Accordingly, the aim of this paper is to characterize the material of silicone breast implants with high cohesiveness. In order to carry out the research a characterization based on mechanical tests, rheology, and spectrophotometry and scanning electron microscopy. This was done with the objective of identifying changes in the prosthesis before and after being irradiated with high energy x-ray photons. To perform the study, 4 breast implants were used. These implants were subjected to the aforementioned tests. The researcher repeated the observation in the second and the third month. Finally, when comparing the results, the mechanical changes are shown in the coating. In the internal material small changes were generated in the elastic and viscous modules. To conclude, effective changes were observed after radiotherapy treatment in the prosthetic material.