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Absolut removal: new evidence prompts breast implant action in Sweden

UK surgeons demand similar testing of removed devices

05 June 2013 (Last updated: 27 Mar 2019 12:52)

London – 5 June, 2013 – In the wake of Sweden’s announcement that, based on new evidence, all PIP implants in their country should be removed as a preventative measure, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (www.baaps.org.uk) today reiterates its own call for similar analysis to take place in the UK as a matter of urgency. The BAAPS, the only organisation based at the Royal College of Surgeons exclusively dedicated to aesthetic (‘cosmetic’) surgery, and which represents the vast majority of NHS plastic surgeons in private practice, welcomes the findings as ‘finally’ addressing some of the previously unexplained symptoms witnessed in patients.

The new recommendations from the Swedish Medical Products Agency and the National Board of Health and Welfare are based on a "changed state of knowledge", resulting from analysis of explanted products rather than off-the-shelf ones. Their document states: "The examination of a number of removed PIP implants with large ruptures shows that the silicone gel within the coating has changed its character".

According to consultant plastic surgeon and BAAPS President Rajiv Grover;

“At the BAAPS we have long been warning that a major loophole in safety regarding these defective implants relates to the lack of ‘in vivo’ testing of PIPs (that is, analysis performed on those that have been removed from the human body). The Swedish findings, which have been undertaken in this manner, show that when inside the body the silicone alters in such a way that doesn’t ‘stick together’ as well, allowing it to disperse more easily.

“It is known that there is a subgroup of PIP implants in which the concentration of an irritant compound (known as D4) is higher than in others, but there is no way of knowing which ones are affected. This is why the Swedish government has made the decision to remove all PIPs as a preventative measure.

“The combination of higher concentrations of D4 and the changes in the silicone which happen when the implant is within the body, finally explain the issues that surgeons and patients have been seeing and experiencing around the country. We urge the Government, who we know have collected in vivo specimens, to perform similar analyses - as a matter of urgency.”

The BAAPS has repeatedly warned (https://www.baaps.org.uk/about/news/1388/analyse_this  and https://baaps.org.uk/media/press_releases/1382/pip_implants_there_are_still_unanswered_questions) that there remain unanswered questions about the devices.

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

 

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