Health authorities have discovered during a recent French governmental inspection of breast implants, which were manufactured by PIP and ROFIL Medro since 2001, that most implants are filled with industrial grade silicone instead of medical grade silicone.

The industrial grade is not compliant to the same stringent quality requirements as medical grade silicone and seems to rupture five times more often than other implants, i.e. that they fail to comply with legal requirements or industry standards.

Since April 2010, PIP breast implants have been prohibited in Europe after reports of over 1,000 incidents of ruptured PIP implants due to the high risk of rupture and subsequent release and distribution of silicone gel. About 30,000 women are estimated to have PIP implants.

The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS) is a major supporter of the French recommendation that those who have breast implants should consult their doctor or hospital to determine if their implants were manufactured by the French company Poly Implant Prosthesis (PIP), or if they have M-Implants manufactured by ROFIL Medro in the Netherlands.

They recommend removing or exchanging the implants immediately, even if there are no clinical signs of rupture, in order to avoid further health risks.

According to a recent study, there was no connection between PIP breast implants and possible cancers. However, it may lead to other medical complications as a result of a ruptured implant. Women whose breast implants are not manufactured by these two companies are not affected and should feel safe.

The forty-one year old International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery has over 2,100 members in 93 countries. It is the largest international society of individual board certified, or equivalent aesthetic plastic surgeons who have to undergo a strict application process to determine their qualifications for joining the society.

Written by Petra Rattue