I presented the results of my initial experience with the polyurethane coated silicone breast implants at the BODY conference in London in November 2012.I had used the polyurethane implants in 189 patients from May 2010 to September 2012. There �were no major complications in the form of capsular contracture( encapsulationn, hardening) or implant rotaton and migration. There were a total of 3 minor surgical complications - 2 wound infections and 1 seroma - which resolved with simple treatments. 2 had aestetic results which I felt could have been better but patients were happy and did not require any revision surgery.Although the follow up period for �these patients were short, the data has cemented my believe that these implants have superior aesthetic results with significantly reduced complication rates.I have progressed from using these implants only in patients who need replacement for capsular contracture to all patients who require breast implants, both in aesthetic and reconstruction cases.Up till 2008, only �Brazil made these polyurethane implants(Silimed), hence the popular term 'Brazillian implants'. �With the exponential rise of it's popularity, � Brazil has not been able to keep up with it's demand. The German partner Polytech decided to take over it's own production in Germany to meet the market demands.I had visited the Brazillian factory in Rio de Janeiro last year to satisfy myself that the implants were of the highest quality before committing to using them almost exclusively.I have just visited the factory in Frankfurt, Germany, to do the same.It is everything that I expected of a German product(Porsche, BMW. Mercedes...). Every single implant is hand made with meticulous attention to safety and quality. To add the polyurethane foam requires another time consuming step to ensure that the foam sits completely smooth over the implant surface. This explains the additional cost of these implants.Every implant shell is carefull measured at several points to ensure consistent thicknessAir bubbles are individually removed from each implant by hand.By regulation, implants are required to undergo 2 million cycles in this machine before rupture. At Polytech, they are subjected to 34 million cycles, the equivalent of a woman running 10 kilometers per week for 150 years.I am delighted that I now have 2 excellent sources of polyurethane coated silicone implants to offer my patients. �I want patients to feel safe in having implants that are of the highest quality with the least risk of possible complications.Mrs �CC Kat is a leading Midlands Consultant Plastic Surgeon specializing in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. She is a full member of both British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and British Association of Aesthetic , Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (BAPRAS) as well as several international aesthetic surgery associations. She worked as a Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust but now runs her private practice, CC Kat Aesthetics �� Birmingham Laser, Skin and Cosmetic Clinic, full time. For more information, visit www.cckat.com or call 0121 456 7930.
