As an alternative implant filler material: natural honey (experimental study)

Breast implants consist of hollow silicone shells filled with either medical-grade silicone gel or sterile saline. Although these implants have a long history of clinical use, they have some drawbacks; these drawbacks have been reported in several long-term studies. Honey obtained from beehives was found to be sterile. In addition, its beneficial effect on wound healing have been known for several years. The use of nsatural honey as an alternative filler material to saline or silicone gel has been studied. Honey-filled implants were studied in terms of physical properties, radiographic characteristics, and biocompatibility in an in vivo animal model. This study demonstrated that honey-filled implants have more radiolucency than silicone gel and have a higher viscosity than saline. The in vivo study showed that honey-filled implants were biocompatible and caused less tissue reaction than silicone gel. The follow-up period was not long enough to demonstrate its long-term effects. It may be that natural honey has great potential that is worth investigating further as an implant filler material.