An implant is an artificial material that is implanted into the body and remains there for a long time or permanently. A distinction is made between functional, plastic and medical implants, respectively.
What is an implant?
An implant is an artificial material that is implanted into the body and remains there for a long time or permanently. Very well known here are, for example, implants for breast augmentation. Implants are artificial products that are placed in the body for various reasons. Medical implants replace or support certain body functions. These include, for example:
- Cardiac pacemakers
- Vascular prostheses
- Stents
- Joint replacement
- Retinal implants
If parts of the body were destroyed or body parts are to be enlarged, so-called plastic implants are used. Very well known here are, for example, implants to enlarge the breast. To monitor people or animals, functional implants, such as RFID chips, are transplanted.
Function, effect and goals
Implants fulfill optical, functional or medical purposes and support various body functions or replace some functions completely. Nowadays, implants are already available for almost all regions of the body. For example, knee or hip implants can replace a function that the body can no longer perform. Breast implants, on the other hand, are mainly used for beautification. The choice of material plays a very important role here, so that the implant is not rejected by the body. Plastics are often used, but in the meantime human tissue is also implanted. Many implants have only been developed in recent decades, including the pacemaker, which is used to treat all cardiac rhythm disorders. A pacemaker consists of a housing with a battery, where an impulse is generated, which is then transmitted to the heart by means of a probe and regulates the heartbeat there. However, if the heart fails completely, it is possible to replace it with an artificial heart. However, it is not suitable for permanent use and can only remain in the human body for about nine months. Another important implant is the stent, which is used for narrowed vessels. A stent is a small tube made of plastic mesh that is pushed into the arteries, where it conforms to the veins. Patients who need to be given medication are very often given a so-called port catheter, which is implanted under the skin. This technology allows the physician to access the blood vessels very quickly, eliminating the need for injections. If the retina loses function, it is possible to insert a retinal implant. There are two different ways to do this: in an epiretinal procedure, the implant is attached to the retina, but the image itself is produced by a camera found in eyeglasses. In subretinal surgery, the surgeon inserts the implant behind the retina, making it possible to restore eye function. If signs of wear are found in the joints, endoprostheses are inserted, implants that remain in the body permanently. However, this is usually only the case when medication or physiotherapy did not bring the desired success. The operation here is relatively complicated, as the surgeon must first remove the affected joint. The artificial joint is then fixed in place and the condyle is adjusted. Placing a dental implant is relatively uncomplicated. This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis, and general anesthesia is not necessary. A dental implant consists of two elements: a metal shaft and a head. For this, the surgeon first removes the gum and then makes a hole in the jaw. The shaft is then inserted and the head screwed on. Mainly cosmetic aspects are fulfilled by breast augmentation, but it is also performed due to various diseases. Often, a silicone pad is used for this purpose, which can remain in the body for several years. Newer methods use autologous fat to shape a breast. Tissue is taken from the thighs or abdomen and subsequently inserted into the woman’s breast. After a mastectomy, breast reconstruction with an implant is often performed.The implant is inserted either in front of or behind the pectoral muscle, so it is important that the muscle can also be preserved in case of amputation. Before the reconstruction, the doctor inserts an expander into the breast so that the tissue can be stretched. The actual surgery then takes place after about six months. Implants do not always have a purely medical purpose, however. RFID chips, for example, are small memories that contain important data about a person and are implanted under the skin.
Risks, side effects and dangers
Of course, an implant always carries different risks. For example, when an artificial heart is implanted, various physical ailments such as thrombosis can occur, and the risk of stroke also increases. Patients with a stent usually have to undergo a new operation after a few years because the vessels can close again. A port catheter normally lasts for about five years; rather rarely, foci of inflammation can occur or the catheter is rejected by the body. Any thromboses that occur can be treated with medication. If patients receive a joint replacement, they must undergo an operation lasting several hours. Thromboses and hematomas may occur. However, side effects are minor in most cases and the majority of patients express satisfaction with the new joint. Breast implants are still associated with dangers. For example, pain or deformation can occur if silicone leaks. Therefore, in this case, it should be carefully considered whether an augmentation is really necessary.
