Are carcinogenic breast implants a threat to Lebanese women?

Every year around 1200 women in Lebanon undergo breast reconstruction surgeries by having silicone breast implants. During the past few weeks, it appeared that one of the implants used, poly implant prothese aka PIP, are defected and can lead to severe infections and perhaps cancer. Such cases prompted French authorities to shut down the manufacturing company and put the product out of use. The authorities proposed to replace the implants at the expense of the state, a process that will concern 30,000 French women.

In Lebanon, plastic surgeon Dr. Nabil Hkayim told LBCI that women who have underwent breast reconstruction surgeries should receive a certificate of the artificial substance implanted in their breasts.  

Hkayim said that around 10 different kinds of implants are used in Lebanon, all of which come from various countries such as Brazil, Malaysia, the U.S. or Spain. Hkayim added that all of these implants are manufactured from medical grade silicone that does not harm the body, stressing that the only substance that caused a problem was the one used in PIP.    

The Lebanese Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery advises all women who have PIP silicone implants to contact their physician, monitor their situation and replace the implants. In coordination with the syndicate of doctors, the society will issue a statement to clarify the controversial issue in a bid to prevent panic.

The society stressed that the problem could be contained through the manufacturer’s representative who sold the substance to doctors. According to the Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, breast reconstructive surgery whether for medical or aesthetic reasons has been practiced for the past ten years and is now considered safe.