Surgeons reveal UK's largest-ever Breast Augmentation survey

275% Increase in Ops since 2002 - Average Complication and Re-Operation Rates Unveiled

18 September 2008 (Last updated: 26 Mar 2019 13:41)

London, UK - 18 September 2008 - The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk), the not-for-profit organisation established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit, today announced the results of the UK's largest-ever survey of breast augmentation trends at their Annual Meeting. The survey examines six years' worth of data and over 26,000 procedures to reveal complication and infection rates as well as re-operation figures. The nearest study, in terms of magnitude, was reported in the Lancet in February 2005 and reviewed Europe-wide data on 10,000 patients. BAAPS results are compared to these as well as average statistics from the US.

Highlights:

26,852 breast augmentation procedures were carried out by BAAPS members from 2002 to 2007

The number of breast augmentations has risen by 275% in that period, from 2,361 ops performed in 2002 and 6,497 in 2007

The Lancet's study of 10,000 patients reported an average rate of infection of 2.5% across Europe (also reported by BBC). The BAAPS' figures reveal an average of only 0.53%, making members' patients almost five times less likely to suffer from infection

For haematoma (bleeding), the American Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (Dec 2007) reports an average rate of 2.7% - BAAPS members rate only 1.2%

Americans also have more than twice the annual re-operation rates than BAAPS members: the same study in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery indicates an annual average of 5.1% whereas the BAAPS comes in at an annual average of 2.06%

According to Rajiv Grover Consultant Plastic Surgeon, Secretary of the BAAPS, who collated and analyzed the data;

"This survey of over 26,000 patients undergoing breast augmentation is the largest of its kind and demonstrates that reduced complication rates can be achieved by the application of careful surgical technique and a safe hospital environment. Patients should choose their surgeon carefully as this is not an operation where one size fits all and tailoring the procedure to each individual does produce better results."

According to Mr. Douglas McGeorge, consultant plastic surgeon and President of the BAAPS;

"These results confirm what we have always known - that risks associated with surgical procedures are dramatically lessened when patients choose properly trained and qualified practitioners knowledgeable in the latest techniques and advances. At the BAAPS our members undergo thorough screening and are audited yearly. It's essential that people considering breast augmentation, or indeed any aesthetic procedure, do their research and check surgeon qualifications."

ENDS

The BAAPS (www.baaps.org.uk), based at the Royal College of Surgeons, is a not-for-profit organisation, established for the advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for public benefit. Members undergo thorough background screening before they can join. Information about specific procedures and surgeons’ contact details can be found on the website, or by contacting their office at 020 7430 1840. Further materials can be posted to members of the public seeking specialised information. BAAPS is also on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BAAPSMedia   and Facebook: www.facebook.com/BritishAssociationofAestheticPlasticSurgeons

For all media enquiries, please contact pr@baaps.org.uk

View other press releases