[40 years of silicone breast implants].
BACKGROUND
It is estimated that approximately 50,000 Norwegian women have silicone breast implants following breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. Their numbers are growing and doctors will more often be confronted with the health problems related to these implants.


METHODS
This review is based on information retrieved from Medline and our clinical experience.


CONCLUSIONS
The modern silicone breast implant is the product of four decades of development. The ongoing debate on health problems associated with the implants has been a vibrant stimulator for research, but a causal relationship between implants and the development of breast cancer and autoimmune defects has not been found. The implants are not, however, without complications; more research is required in order to improve the implants and for quality assurance of treatment and follow up.
Tindholdt
Tyge Tind
TT
Plastikkirurgisk avdeling, Ullevål universitetssykehus, 0407 Oslo. tyge.tindholdt@rikshospitalet.no
Mesic
Haris
H
Tønseth
Kim Alexander
KA
Harbo
Sverre Olaus
SO
D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D018427:Breast Implants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history*; D005260:Female; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012826:Silicone Elastomers / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history*
D012826:Silicone Elastomers