US breast augmentation patients prefer saline implants

US cosmetic surgery patients are still opting for saline-filled implants instead of silicone gel ones when getting breast augmentation, it has been found.

In a survey sent out to the 1746 members of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, it was discovered that patient preference was the overriding reason for a saline implant, despite silicon versions being approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The study also found that breast augmentation was the top cosmetic surgery procedure in the US in 2008.

Rod Rohrich and Edward Reece, the study’s senior and lead authors, said: "The approval of silicone gel implants has expanded the options for women considering breast augmentation.

"Nevertheless, obtaining favourable patient outcomes is usually not dependent on the type of implant as much as the use of patient-appropriate techniques by a qualified and experienced surgeon."

In 2008, there were over 350,000 breast augmentation procedures in the US, an increase in 250 per cent on the figure in 1997.