Gov to release review on PIP breast implants soon

The UK government is expected to release its review on PIP breast implants shortly. The implants, made by the French firm Poly Implant Prothese, had been banned by France in 2010 citing a high risk of leaking, and advised women to have them removed.

The UK government has criticised conflicting data and said the risk of rupture was low, but health secretary Andrew Lansley ordered a review in response to reports of a 7% rupture rate by cosmetic surgery group Transform.

Transform however, advises that that figure is based on just 7 out of 108 patients that have been fitted with the PIP breast implants in the last 6 years, and Mr Lansley has said data emerging from private companies is "inconsistent" and in some cases of "poor quality". He also commented that the government has yet to advise patients fitted with the PIP breast implants to have them removed as the operation itself to remove the implants could carry a greater risk than the benefit of having them removed. President of the British Association Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Fazel Fatah, has said anyone with the PIP implants should have them removed as the quality of silicone "is not fit to be implanted into humans".

Approximately 40,000 women throughout Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK are thought to have had PIP breast implants, which were subsequently criticised for having industrial grade silicone gel, as opposed to medical grade.

Sally Taber, director of the organisation which represents most of the UK private breast implant clinics, Independent Healthcare Advisory Services, says the "average rupture rates reported for PIP implants are within the industry standard of 1-2%".  

If you live in Northern Ireland and have had PIP breast implants fitted you may wish to consider making a compensation claim for medical negligence. You can call one of the claims solicitors that specialise in medical negligence at Wilson Nesbitt in Belfast by calling 0800 840 9289 .

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