General, Plastic Surgery

Recommendations on PIP prostheses

February 21, 2012

Taking into account all the available information, and considering the scientific opinion of the SCENIHR on the risk assessment of PIP breast prostheses, the AEMPS issues the following recommendations on PIP prostheses that reiterate and complete those issued so far.

Recommendations on PIP prostheses

Breast prosthesis wearers should check, through the implantation card or the clinical report they received at the time of the intervention, if their prostheses correspond to the POLY IMPLANT (PIP) prostheses. In the case of not having it or having lost it, or if they have doubts, they should request an appointment at the center where the intervention was performed or with the corresponding surgeon to plan an adequate follow-up.
People with PIP breast prostheses should contact their surgeon to undergo a revision of their prostheses in order to check their condition. This follow-up should include an ultrasound control and if inconclusive information is obtained, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) should be performed.
People who cannot contact the surgeon or clinic where the prosthesis was implanted, or who do not receive adequate care there, may go to the consultation or referral services established by the Autonomous Communities to request an assessment of their case.
If prosthesis breakage is detected or suspected, the prosthesis should be explanted.
In the absence of clinical symptomatology or deterioration of the prosthesis, the decision for explantation will be made on an individual basis, together with the surgeon, taking into account the best therapeutic decision based on the particular medical and esthetic circumstances of each person.
If the prosthesis is not explanted, a clinical and radiological follow-up should be carried out every 6 months.
The explantation of PIP prostheses and patient follow-up will follow the protocol for explantation of PIP prostheses developed by the Committee of experts of the MSSSI, which will be available on the aforementioned websites in the coming days.

In a complementary manner, the Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE) has made available to those who wish to be attended by a plastic surgeon the telephone number 902 40 90 90 60 and the e-mail address info@secpre.org where they will receive information.