Reported November 15, 2011

Women who have poly implant prostheses (PIP) breast implants are advised to have an ultrasound scan to ensure they have not ruptured or weakened, the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (Baaps) has said.

The guidance follows a study by the French association of plastic surgeons, which found that the company which produced PIPs had used an unapproved gel and failed to use protective barriers.

Baaps estimates that about 50,000 women in the UK may have these implants, even though they were unpopular with the association's member surgeons.

President Nigel Mercer said that there is currently 'no serious cause for alarm'.

However, he advised: 'Whilst further tests are conducted into the substance, we recommend that women who've undergone breast augmentation contact their surgeons to find out what type of implant was used.

'If it's PIP they should have an ultrasound in the next six months to establish whether there is any weakening or rupture.'

Mr Mercer emphasised that surgeons should not be blamed for the situation, as they acted in good faith.

He added that there was 'no way of knowing the gel was untested or that the protective envelope, which adds strength and restricts the gel from travelling into the body, had been dispensed with'.

Earlier this year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency ordered surgeons to stop using the implants in question, and to return any unused implants to their distributor.

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