Objective: To determine if miniprostheses would form a capsule of significantly different biophysical, biochemical and histologic properties than the conventional silicone implant.
Methods: Four miniprostheses (experimental group) and one big silicone implants (control 1 group) were separately implanted beneath the panniculus carnosus muscle of 30 rabbits. After 3 months, measures related to contracture and capsular histology were performed on anesthetized animals.
Results: Baker ranking, capsular incision width and capsular thickness of the control groups were evidently higher than that of experimental groups (P < 0.01). Implant compression of the control groups was evidently lower than that of the experimental group. Histology revealed a thinner, more flexed capsule around the miniprostheses as compared with big silicone implants.
Conclusions: The miniprostheses form a looser and thinner capsule than the conventional silicone implant.