INAMED 410

The Allergan/Inamed/McGhan Style 410 Implant and Matrix System
The 410 was the first cohesive gel implant developed, and still worldwide is the most used of the cohesive gel implants. Since it was first created, the implant filler has changed, and numerous additional shapes have become available.

Many of the international surgeons using the original 410 were concerned that the implant felt too firm. So, in 1997,Allergan/Inamed/McGhansoftened the original 410 gel a bit. Some surgeons still remain partial to the original, saying that though it felt firm outside of the body, inside the body it felt soft.

Allergan/Inamed/McGhan then expanded the 410 product line to include 12 different shapes for any given volume, allowing surgeons a huge range of choices in shape creation. These were predominantly designed for use in reconstruction following cancer surgery, for treatment of congenital anomalies, and for asymmetries, but surgeons around the world have been trying various shapes for first time augmentations.

Each implant is designated by its weight, one letter describing its height, and another letter describing its projection. The first letter describes the height. F is full height, M is moderate height, and L is low height. The second letter describes the projection of the implant. F is full projection, M is moderate projection, and L is low projection.

The original 410 is an FM - full height, moderate projection. This is one of the most popular shapes. Another popular shape is the MM - moderate height, moderate projection (the Mentor CPG comes in one size, and it is very similar to the MM). Many surgeons will refer to the M and the L as "reduced height" implants, considering the F (full) height to be the standard. An important characteristic of all F height implants is that they are taller than they are wide…all reduced height implants are wider than they are tall.

So, having an F, M., and L in height, and an F, M, and L in projection, gave 9 possible shapes. Allergan/Inamed/McGhan then added an X (extra) projection implant, so that there are 12 cells available in what they call " the 410 Matrix." Only 4 of these cells have been available in the United States for the clinical trials (FF, FM, MM, MF.)

Allergan/Inamed/McGhan has also added an entire second matrix, called the Soft Touch. All 12 sizes are also available internationally in a softer feeling gel formulation. Advocates like its softness; others feel that by making it so soft, the implant loses a significant amount of its shape maintenance. These have not been not available for the US clinical trials.

There is still no consensus about how to choose implants from the Matrix, with most surgeons using different methods. No doubt, this will be the subject of great debate in plastic surgical circles. There is considerable debate over which creates "the most attractive" breasts; Dr. Teitelbaum generally prefers the appearance of breasts augmented with the FM (implant that is taller than it is wide.) With these "full height" implants, the transition of the non-augmented upper chest on to the augmented breast is smoother with a full height implant. Though extended projection implants (the F and X) may initially produce greater projection, there has been debate about whether or not this will be maintained. Concern is that the greater pressure these implants impart upon the breast may cause tissue compression that over the long-term will negate their increased initial projection. This argument is speculative, and the issue probably will not be resolved for many years.

Click here for the Canadian 410 approval announcement

More Information about Cohesive Gel Implants