What Is The Keller Funnel And How Is It Used In Breast Enhancement?

The Keller funnel is a cone shaped plastic sleeve that is used to facilitate the insertion of silicone breast implants. The incisions for saline implants are quite small (usually about an inch or so) because they are inserted beneath the breast in a deflated state and then filled by the surgeon. Silicone implants, however, are pre-filled so the incision required is considerably larger to ensure that the implant can be inserted without too much trauma. At our Austin plastic surgery center, we use the Keller funnel to insert the implant through a smaller incision and with fewer traumas, so the benefits are a smaller scar and possibly an implant that will last longer because it hasn’t been banged up on insertion.

The cost of a Keller funnel to the patient is about $200 but it is well worth the money for the reasons noted above. Patients rarely complain about the incision below the breast or around the areola, but everyone can agree that the smaller the scar the better. Although there is no scientific evidence that silicone implants inserted with the funnel last longer, it’s common sense to believe that less trauma on insertion is better.

Textured implants are ideal for the Keller funnel because their rough surfaces “stick” to the surrounding tissue, making them much more difficult to insert otherwise.

If you are interested in learning more about the Keller funnel, visit https://www.kellerfunnel.com.

Educational Video: What Is The Keller Funnel And How Is It Used In Breast Enhancement?

— Robert Caridi, MD
Diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
Founder of the Austin Gynecomastia Center