Breast Implant Safety: an Overview of Current Regulations and Screening Guidelines

Abstract

Breast implant surgery for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes is becoming increasingly common. While the devices used are regulated and approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, all patients with breast implants require continued follow-up. Many patients will seek this care from their primary care providers, especially when follow-up with their plastic surgeon is difficult. It is vital that treating clinicians are knowledgeable about the history of breast implants, routine screening guidelines, and the recent breast implant "hot topics"-breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), connective tissue disease, and breast implant illness. This paper will provide the necessary information for primary care providers to appropriately counsel patients with breast implants to maintain not only their trust, but also their health.

Figure 1

Workflow for a patient with breast implants seeking routine primary care. BIA-ALCL, breast implant–associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma; FNA, fine needle aspiration; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; IHC, immunohistochemistry.