Features
An open letter to young plastic surgeons (from an old UK plastic surgeon)
You are in a specialty that is second to none – you can use your skills to improve the quality of life of your patients, whether they have cancer, congenital abnormalities or damage caused by trauma. Most (90%) plastic surgery...
When a patient asks for your insurance details…
Coming from a patient, the question “Do you have insurance?” is almost certain to put a medical practitioner on edge. Not being a common query, many do not have a ready answer and instead have to grapple with some questions...
The three stages of breast reconstruction
Breast cancer has become so common that most people reading this article will know someone (either professionally or personally) who has been affected by breast cancer. One of the most common treatments for breast cancer is removal of the ‘whole’...
Perspectives on: Polyurethane covered breast implants
The manufacturer’s viewpoint: Myths, failures and the regulation of the modern breast implant. The modern day silicone breast implant industry was created with the Dow Corning prosthesis, first used in the USA in 1962. Since its introduction into the market...
The arguments for polyurethane covered breast implants in cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery
The surgeon’s viewpoint Medical grade silicone has been used for breast augmentation since the 1960s and is the preferred base material to use as the filler in breast implants. Cohesive gel silicone implants are now exclusively available in the UK....
From PIP to DC-CIK to the Sorcerer’s Apprentice: a medico-political minefield
Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) was a French company that manufactured silicone breast implants that were surgically implanted mainly for cosmetic breast augmentation. Of note, ‘cosmetic’ is used in the strict sense of the word meaning false and artificial and does...