BACKGROUND: Over the last 3 years, there has been an increase in the number of patients requesting gluteoplasty. Despite this increase, there are no published data on the durability of gluteal prostheses. This study evaluated the mean useful life of silicone implants for gluteoplasty. METHODS: This was a retrospective observational study. A total of 380 medical records were reviewed to obtain data on age, the date of prosthesis insertion, and the date of reoperation. The mean time between the first surgery for insertion of the implant and the second surgery for exchanging it for a new one or to remove it was calculated. RESULTS: Of the 380 cases evaluated, 70 patients were reoperated on by the senior author; only 2.8% of these cases showed an intact prosthesis during the reoperation, and all others presented with a ruptured prosthesis. The right and left buttock prostheses were ruptured in 100% and 80% of the cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The useful life of gluteal implants is shorter than that of breast implants despite being manufactured from the same material. This is because gluteal prostheses are subjected to more tension and compression, which are associated with the lifestyle and job of the patient.
Buttocks; Prosthesis implantation; Prostheses
