Yesterday we saw the well-publicised release of Sir Bruce Keogh’s report, concluding that while PIP implant contents were neither toxic nor carcinogenic, the rate of rupture was at least double that normally encountered. The report went on to say that symptoms of a reaction to contents released as a result of leak or rupture of the implant were easy to detect and as such patients suffering from “silent” ruptures with no symptoms should not be concerned about their health.
Sir Bruce also concluded that all women with concerns about their implants would be offered consultation and potential removal under the NHS in the event that the original private provider was not prepared or able to offer that degree of support.
Now, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) has offered its own view in what is a generally supportive statement, but with the additional emphasis on the point of removal implicit in it’s title, “Get ’em Out”.
BAAPS is saying it believes the fact “that ‘silent’ ruptures do not manifest in outward symptoms will in all likelihood not reassure many of those affected, so we welcome the decision that any and all women should be given the option to discuss their individual needs and should be fully supported by their provider whatever their choice, removal or monitoring.”
Then, in another comment targeted at the providers, almost all private, saying “We fully support the report’s conclusions that all providers who implanted PIPs have a responsibility to proactively share with their patients objective and up-to-date information about the risks to their health so they can make an informed decision on the removal of their implants.”
And when you think about it, why wouldn’t consultant plastic surgeons want the work to be done in the private sector as opposed to the NHS? The cynic would say there’s a financial incentive for the clinician to have it done in the private sector, while the rest of us would say they’re merely wanting the organisation that benefitted financially from the original procedure to take a bit of the pain when it comes to putting things right.
Source: BAAPS
published: June 19, 2012 in: Alerts/Adverse Events, Clinical/Educational, Plastic/Reconstructive