Fwd: Breast implants in France. New regulations, and qualitative and quantitative study of breast implants sold between 1995 and 2004.

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Breast implants in France. New regulations, and qualitative and quantitative study of breast implants sold between 1995 and 2004.

Ann Chir Plast Esthet. 2005 Sep 15; [Epub ahead of print] [breast implants in France. New regulations, and qualitative and quantitative study of breast implants sold between 1995 and 2004.] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve & db=pubmed & dopt=Abstract & list_uids=16169651[Article in French]Petit F.Cabinet medical Saint-Jacques, 46, boulevard Saint-Jacques, 75014 Paris, France.Breast implant surgery is now regulated by health laws, which stopped concerns and debates about the safety of the implants in the 90'. After a 6 years ban, silicone gel-filled implants have been allowed by the Afssaps (a national health agency) in 2001, for use in France. The comeback of the silicone gel implants has been a breakthrough in the breast implant market. Goals of the study. - Our goal was to assess breast implant use in France, from 1995 til 2004, a time of deep turmoil for breast implant surgery due to new regulations. Methods. - All manufacturers have been requested to participate in the study and send their confidential data regarding the number and type of implants sold yearly, from 1995 to 2004. Results. - Breast implant sales rose by 53% in 2001, and increase by +383% from 1995 to 2004. The total number of breast implants sold in 2004 reached about 61 800. Following the lift on their ban, silicon gel-filled implants became immediately first-choice implants (they represented 72% in 2001 and more than 97% of all implants sold in 2004); saline filled implants are now rarely used. Textured envelopes are more often used (they represented 73 to 97% between 1995 and 2004), and smooth envelopes represented about 15%. Conclusion. - Health agencies in France and Europe would benefit from a better knowledge of the use and follow-up of breast implants. These are plastic surgeon' or scientific society' responsibilities. A national breast implant registry may be a useful tool to gather information, to improve long-term follow-up and to provide better care to women concerned themselves with breast implant surgery.PMID: 16169651 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]