November 21, 2006 | Blog
2 minute read
PR Newswire 2006-11-18
Decision to Spark Increase in Breast Augmentation Procedures
NEW YORK, Nov. 18 /PRNewswire/ — Silicone Implant makers Allergan Inc. and Mentor Corp. have won U.S. approval to resume unrestricted sales of silicone breast implants.
The Food and Drug Administration today ended restrictions that had limited the products to clinical trials for 14 years. Silicone, also used in the Silly Putty toy, was the target of breast-implant litigation that cost Dow Corning Corp. $3.2 billion.
Stephen T. Greenberg, M.D., F.A.C.S is one of New York’s premiere cosmetic surgeons, performing thousands of breast augmentations each year. He has long been a proponent of silicone implants. “Silicone offers the patient the most true to life representation of breast tissue and the most natural result. It is also a very user friendly material to work with as a surgeon,” said Greenberg. “I expect that this will signal an immediate increase in breast augmentation procedures as patients who had previous reservations will now be more willing to move forward with the procedure,” he continued.
Silicone closely resembles the texture of breast tissue and has been used extensively in other countries. Sales of the implants and the subsequent procedures are expected to sky rocket in the next few years. In their decision to approve the implants the FDA didn’t link the implants to connective-tissue diseases, as did allegations against Dow Corning.
About 290,000 women received cosmetic implants in 2005, a 37 percent increase in a five-year period, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. For further information, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Greenberg, please call 212-977-4647.