Failure of silicone gel breast implants: Is the mechanical weakening due to shell swelling a significant cause of prostheses rupture?

► Mechanical properties of silicone gel breast implants decay during implantation. ► Mechanical decay is mainly due to shell swelling phenomenon. ► Ruptured implants show significant lower strength and stiffness than intact ones. ► Shell decay is a major mechanism for silicone gel breast implant failure.