Reported complications of silicone gel breast implants: an epidemiologic review

Article Abstract:

Some evidence suggests that there are no significant short-term associations between silicone breast implants and common connective tissue diseases or cancers. However, there does appear to be a trend towards an increased risk for implant rupture or other complications directly associated with the implant, particularly with older implants. Researchers highlighted studies published between 1975 and 1995 that studied associations between silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases, cancers, or local complications. It should be noted that the quality of many of the studies are suspect. Studies that evaluated up to 495 women each reported that between 5% and 70% of silicone breast implants rupture within 10 years. Other studies have shown no increased risk for breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, or scleroderma within 10 years after placement of silicone breast implants as compared to the general population. The presence of a breast implant can reduce the visible area on a mammogram by as much as 35%.

Breast implants

---

Cosmetic surgical procedures and connective tissue disease: the Cleopatra syndrome revisited

Article Abstract:

The link between silicon breast implants and the development of connective tissue diseases has not been clearly illustrated by recent studies. Though the Food and Drug Administration began limiting the availability of the implants in 1992, no solid link has been demonstrated between implants and immune system dysfunction. Methodological questions of referral bias and diagnostic criteria are raised by some studies. Demographic studies should compare patients who have undergone implant surgery with matched controls who have not. Also, studies should include instances of connective tissue disease in which all diagnostic criteria are fulfilled. Assessment of the association between implants and connective tissue diseases, coupled with the discovery of a convincing biological mechanism for the development of the disease, will have to be completed before an accurate risk-benefit analysis can be made.

Surgery, Plastic, Plastic surgery

---

Prevalence of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies in a large inception cohort of patients with connective tissue disease

Article Abstract:

A test for an antibody called antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA) that acts against normal tissue cells may be a useful component in identifying patients with connective tissue and vessel diseases. Tests for ANCA according to blood cell location and by subtype were analyzed for 419 patients with connective tissue diseases, 52 patients with confirmed vascular disease and positive ANCA subtypes, and 200 healthy blood donors. Of the patients with lupus, 31% tested positive for ANCA around the blood cell nucleus. ANCA testing in combination with an enzyme-linked test detected nearly all patients with vessel disease.

Diagnosis, Measurement, Peripheral vascular diseases, Antibodies

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Genital chlamydial infections: epidemiology and reproductive sequelae. Recognition of the long-term sequelae of eclampsia
• Abstracts: Evaluation of a palpable breast mass. Mammographic density and the risk and detection of breast cancer. Whither scientific deliberation in health policy recommendations? Alice in the Wonderland of breast-cancer screening
• Abstracts: Nutritional considerations in children undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Tumour regression following chemotherapy does not increase food intake
• Abstracts: Fatty acid composition of inositol and choline phospholipids of breast tumours and normal bread tissue. Postprandial changes in platelet function and coagulation factors after high-fat meals with different fatty acid compositions
• Abstracts: Participation of HIV-infected patients in autologous blood programs. The nation's changing blood supply system

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.