Breast Implant Technology: What Can We Count On?

Abstract

Scott L. Spear, MD, Washington, DC , is a board-certified plastic surgeon and an ASAPS member. Over the past few years, the use of breast implants has increased dramatically, from 60,000 in 1992 to an estimated 280,000 units in 1998.1 During this time, however, the breast implant technology available in this country has changed very little. What will the breast implant technology of the future look like? What will be available for nonrestricted use within the next 3 to 5 years? Before these questions can be answered, it should be recognized that any innovation must clear substantial regulatory hurdles. Additionally, any company that launches a new product expects to receive adequate financial return: The development, manufacturing, and sale of breast implants are a costly business, and without a reasonable expectation for success and profit, a diligent company would not pursue the effort. Significant new breast implant technology has been developed in the United States over the last 7 years, has been clinically proven abroad, and is poised to enter the US market. I will discuss only those innovations that are highly likely to be available once the regulatory hurdles are crossed. Although anatomic breast implants are not new, in the last 5 years at least 5 of these styles have become available. The rationale is that a full matrix of shapes meets a broad range of patient needs. This matrix is based on the proportion of projection-to-base width in 3 different height ranges and yields more than 100 potential implants that meet the anatomic needs of most women undergoing augmentation and reconstruction. On the basis of 5 years of experience with the matrix approach in Europe by one manufacturer, approximately 80% of patient needs are satisfied …