Advice on PIP breast implants

The Association of Breast Surgery, the British Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Aesthetic Surgeons, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, the Federation of Surgical Speciality Associations and the Royal College of Surgeons participated in an expert group convened by Professor Sir Bruce Keogh to review policy in relation to breast implants from the French company Poly Implant Prothèse (PIP).

All organisations have endorsed the findings of the interim report published on 6 January.

These five professional surgical organisations are now independently publishing further clinical guidance for GPs and surgeons regarding the care of patients who have received PIP breast implants.

The advice given in the report issued is that patients should not be referred for scanning (USS/MRI) before receiving a specialist surgical opinion.

In patients without signs or symptoms of rupture, scanning should only be used to assist decision making where the patient is uncertain of whether to have the implant removed or where rupture is identified. For all patients who have already decided to undergo explantation, scanning is unnecessary.

Caution is urged in interpreting ultrasound or MRI imaging information, owing to the available evidence offering conflicting advice about false positive and negative detection rates for implant rupture and leaks.