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No significant differences in appearance observed between round vs. anatomical implants

Results of a blind study demonstrated there were no significant differences in the general and specific cosmetic appearance between round and anatomical implants, according to researchers.

Twenty-two plastic surgeons with breast augmentation experience reviewed pre- and postoperative photographs of 60 patients who underwent breast augmentation with either round (33 patients) or anatomical implants (27 patients). The surgeons rated the photographs based on a modified Likert scale, with 1 for “poor” and 4 for “excellent,” in terms of overall aesthetic result, upper-pole contour and natural appearance.

Anatomical form-stable implants received higher scores for upper-pole contour compared with round implants (2.80 vs. 2.60); however, the difference was not considered statistically significant, according to the researchers.

The panel also scored anatomical implants higher than round with regard to natural appearance (2.89 vs. 2.56), as well as for overall aesthetics (2.86 vs. 2.72), but this was again found to not be statistically significant.

According to the researchers, the panel correctly identified round implants in 62.7% of photographs and anatomical form-stable implants in 49% of photographs. No significant differences in BMI, tissue pinch thickness, implant base diameter or parity existed between the patient groups. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.