[The use of silicone breast prosthesis in Puerto Rico]

To obtain data on the use of gel-filled silicone breast implants in Puerto Rico, a study was undertaken by the Division of Plastic Surgery of the University of Puerto Rico. Questionnaires, designed to obtain information about their breast implant patients, were mailed to the 22 plastic surgeons in Puerto Rico. Sixty-eight percent of the plastic surgeons responded. The collected data showed that 1,682 patients received gel-filled silicone breast implants, of whom breast augmentation accounted for 82%, and post-mastectomy reconstruction for 18%. Capsular contracture occurred in 16% and early complications in 2.5% of the patients. Autoimmune disease was rare (.0006%), as was breast cancer (.0002%). Very few patients in Puerto Rico received polyurethane foam covered breast implants (.005%). The risk of problems associated with breast implants in our Island appears to be very low.