MASSDEVICE ON CALL — The substandard silicone breast implants that roused enormous controversy in the Europe may be more defective than previously determined, with one study concluding that 1 in 3 may be prone to rupture.
The implants, made by French manufacturer Poly Implant Prosthèse, were found to contain a non-authorized silicone gel that causes high rupture rates.
New research published in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery found that among 453 patients with breast implants manufactured by Poly Implant Prosthèse, as many as 33.8% may have experienced rupture, according to a press release.
Late last year, news broke that France was considering a recall of 30,000 sets of breast implants supplied by PIP. Since then, the founder and former head of the French breast implant company was arrested and the controversy has led some to question the foundation of the European CE Marking program.
Maryland launches new PCI review system
Maryland, a state that has been plagued by high–profile cases of unnecessary stenting, is preparing to launch an independent review board to monitor percutaneous coronary interventions, TheHeart.org reported.
Journal editors lament a troubling rise in retractions
The number of papers retracted from scientific publications is on the rise at an alarming rate, a trend that one journal editor called "a symptom of a dysfunctional scientific climate," according to the New York Times.
Bioabsorable coronary stents look good at 10 years
A 10-year follow-up of 50 patients who received the Igaki-Tamai stent, the 1st implanted fully bioabsorbable coronary artery stents, found that the devices demonstrated the same safety record as bare-metal stents, TheHeart.org reported.