Recall of French Breast Implants
I recently received a guide from The American Society Aesthetic of Plastic Surgery for member plastic surgeons, addressing their concern for patients presenting with PIP Implants. The French manufacturer Poly Implant Prostheses (PIP) and the Dutch company Rofil Medical used inferior, industrial grade, silicone in the breast implants they produced and sold.
What is wrong with the PIP/ROFIL implants? These products have a higher rupture rate than other available implants and these implants were never FDA approved here. Countries where these implants were available include England, France, Argentina, Venezuela, Brazil, Germany or the Czech Republic. However, medical tourism is popular and it is possible that some Americans may also have these types of implants.
I agree with the guidelines of The American Aesthetic Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and my colleagues at The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) and who support the recommendation of the French authorities to remove the implants as a precaution, even if no symptoms or hints of rupture or leakage are present. Consult your physician if you have questions regarding what type of implants you have.
