Madrid, January 31, 2012 – SECPRE convened an Extraordinary Assembly last Saturday, January 28, to analyze the problem of PIP breast implants in view of the new data provided by the different national and European organizations.
Therefore, the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE) wishes to state the following to the public opinion:
– We reiterate that, to date, it should be noted that there is no new evidence linking PIP breast implants with the development of a possible cancer or any other type of serious pathology. Inflammatory complications may arise due to rupture of the implants, being the evidence or suspicion of rupture of the implant an indication for immediate explantation.
– Despite the lack of scientific evidence regarding the relationship of PIP implants with genotoxic processes or any other type of pathology different from the already known, and due to their important manufacturing defects, it would be advisable to remove or replace these implants as a preventive measure and without urgency.
– SECPRE firmly believes in the honorability and professionalism of the surgeons and institutions (public and private) that have used them, especially when their use and distribution was approved by the competent official bodies, from which it can be deduced that they had passed the relevant quality and safety control filters.
– The plastic surgeons of the SECPRE are concerned about their patients and feel that they are also victims, since these PIP implants supposedly complied with the safety standards and legality in force. For this reason, SECPRE supports the creation of a platform of affected plastic surgeons, which will serve to articulate the legal measures deemed appropriate against those responsible for this health fraud. Likewise, a Liability Assessment Committee has been set up to jointly manage with the Insurance Companies the positions related to this problem. It is the clear and categorical intention of this scientific Society to initiate as many legal actions as are pertinent to safeguard the honorability and prestige of its members.
– SECPRE maintains a firm commitment to close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality, the Spanish Medical Association, the Health Safety Committee of the European Commission, and the other scientific societies involved, with the aim of continuing to gather all the information and to be able to provide the best assistance to our patients. It also urges the Administration to consider this situation as a Public Health problem and to make an effort to make every effort to minimize the impact on the victims of this fraud.
– We are aware that there is a considerable number of PIP prostheses implanted by professionals who are not SECPRE plastic surgeons and/or in the context of companies in the cosmetic surgery sector that by their way of working may favor that patients do not know their surgeon of reference. With the aim of helping and assisting those PIP implant carriers who are neglected, the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE) is working to offer its network of surgeons on an individual basis to those women who need it.
– We are the first interested in the safety of our patients, for which we need to have the confidence that the obligations established in the regulation of medical devices, the requirements of qualification and specialization of doctors and the requirements of health centers in which cosmetic surgery is performed are met. For this reason, SECPRE requests the Health Authorities to draw up and comply with clear regulations governing the practice of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery in Spain.
– SECPRE reminds the protocol of action for patients with PIP implants or when in doubt of being one:
1. Women who have breast prostheses should check the type of implant they have by means of the implantation card (mandatory), which should have been provided by their plastic surgeon. In case of not having it or having lost it, you can go to the center where the intervention was performed and ask for a copy of it.
2. If it is a PIP prosthesis, we recommend going to the plastic surgeon who operated on you, who will request the appropriate clinical and radiological examinations (mammograms, breast and axillary ultrasound, MRI) for a correct assessment. If you have not been operated by a plastic surgeon member of the SECPRE and you are disoriented, you can go to our Society to recommend a suitable professional who will assist you in a disinterested way.
It is recommended to contact a platform of patients affected by PIP prostheses.
4. Depending on the condition of the prosthesis and with the advice of your plastic surgeon, the best therapeutic decision and the right time for explantation will be made.
5. If the patient does not wish to have the prostheses removed, as long as they are in good condition, a clinical and radiological follow-up is recommended every 6 months.
For more information:
SECPRE Press Office
Alba Corrada / Diana Zugasti
