Affordable Access

The Surfactant Properties of Clindamycin as a Useful Adjunct for Removing Ruptured Silicone Implants

Authors
  • Alnaseri, Tahera
  • Musavi, Leila
  • Deming, Timothy
  • Roostaeian, Jason
  • Da Lio, Andrew
  • Mason, Thomas G
  • DeLong, Michael R
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2024
Source
eScholarship - University of California
Keywords
License
Unknown
External links

Abstract

BackgroundSilicone gel removal after breast implant rupture is a difficult task. Silicone is hydrophobic and thus cannot be irrigated effectively with saline. Attempts at mechanical removal with sponges are often partially successful. Incomplete removal results in persistent silicone contamination with possible local inflammation, infection, and silicone granulomata. In this partially quantitative investigation, we assess the de-adhesion ability of different clindamycin formulations against known surfactant controls when combined with silicone gel.MethodsTo demonstrate surfactant properties in vitro, clindamycin phosphate, clindamycin hydrochloride, and a known surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), were compared. An amount of 170 g of silicone gel placed in a dry glass container exhibited strong adherence to the container walls. In separate trials, clindamycin phosphate (300 mg in 100 mL), clindamycin HCl (300 mg in 100 mL), and SDS (1 g in 100 mL) solutions with normal saline were added to the silicone aggregate, and de-adhesion properties were compared.ResultsAll solutions aided in the de-adhesion of the sticky silicone from glass substrate. The SDS had the strongest effect, followed by clindamycin phosphate and then clindamycin HCl. The observed interactions suggested that all of the solutions behaved as ionic surfactant coating the silicone with negative charges via adsorption. However, the phosphate anionic formulation was associated with a greater surfactant effect than HCl.ConclusionsClindamycin acts as a surfactant to aid in the clinical removal of ruptured silicone gel. Clindamycin phosphate seems to have a stronger effect than clindamycin HCl, likely related to the negative charges on the phosphate groups.

Report this publication

Statistics

Seen <100 times