Allergan® Recalls BioCell® Textured Breast Implants
You may have heard in the news recently that Allergan®, a prominent manufacturer of breast implants, has voluntarily recalled their BioCell® textured implants because of a rare concern regarding the late development of an unusual type of cancer known as ALCL (Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma). According to recent studies, this condition is very rare and only affects approximately 1 in 20,000 women with breast implants. As textured implants from Allergan® tend to be more aggressively textured than other types of textured implants, the risk of breast implant-associated ALCL is approximately six times greater with Allergan® devices than other U.S implant manufacturers. The plastic surgeons at our Charleston practice, Craig Rowin, MD and Ram Kalus, MD, utilize MENTOR® smooth breast implants and do not use textured implants of any kind—let alone the Allergan® implants mentioned in the recall.
These MENTOR® smooth-surfaced breast implants are the primary devices placed for breast augmentation patients at our own practice. Dr. Rowin and Dr. Kalus have rarely ever used Allergan® breast implants and in the rare instances that they were placed, the implants have almost always had a smooth surface, not textured. The most important thing for our previous and current breast augmentation patients to know is that MENTOR® smooth-surfaced breast implants are not affected by this recall and have not been associated with this issue. Regardless of what type of breast implant you may have, no action needs to be taken if you are not experiencing any problems, complaints, or complications.
If you are worried about whether or not this recall affects you, please refer to the Identification Card that you were given at the time of your surgery to see which type of implant you have. If you cannot find your ID card or simply would like reassurance, please call our office to speak with one of our staff. Our friendly team can help you find the information you are seeking and answer all of your questions.
