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History

History of breast surgery

From the first silicone implant in 1962 to the 2021 boxed warning: the steps that changed the operation and its rules.

Timeline

Breast Surgery timeline

1895

Lipoma transfer

Czerny tried to enlarge a breast by implanting a lumbar lipoma. Paraffin injections and polyvinyl alcohol sponge implants followed, with poor results.[1]

1956

The Wise pattern

Wise published a method for planning the mammaplasty, used to make reduction outcomes safer and more predictable.[1][2]

1962

First silicone gel implant

The first silicone breast implant was placed in 1962. First-generation implants had a thick shell, thick gel and Dacron patches, with high capsular contracture rates.[1][2][3]

1965

Inflatable saline implants

Inflatable saline implants came into use in 1965.[1]

1992

FDA moratorium on silicone gel

The FDA moratorium on silicone gel implants began in April 1992. During it, saline implants were used almost exclusively in North America, while silicone stayed in use in the rest of the world.[1][2]

1994

Vertical mammaplasty with liposuction

Lejour reported 100 patients, 192 breasts, with vertical scar reduction and lift, using liposuction in the fattier breasts.[1][2]

1997

First case of BIA-ALCL

Keech and Creech reported anaplastic T-cell lymphoma next to a saline-filled breast implant, the first reported case.[1][2]

2001

Dual plane and cohesive gel

Tebbetts published dual plane augmentation in 468 patients. Cohesive gel implants entered US use the same year under an investigational study.[1][2]

2006

Silicone gel returns

In November 2006 the FDA approved the Allergan Natrelle and Mentor MemoryGel silicone implants and required each maker to follow patients for 10 years in post-approval studies.[1][2]

2011

FDA names the lymphoma risk

The FDA identified a possible association between breast implants and anaplastic large cell lymphoma.[1]

2016

WHO classifies BIA-ALCL

The WHO designated breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma as a T-cell lymphoma that can develop after breast implants.[1]

2019

Textured implant recall

On 24 July 2019, at FDA request, Allergan recalled its BIOCELL textured implants and tissue expanders worldwide. The FDA counted 573 BIA-ALCL cases and 33 deaths, 481 cases with Allergan implants.[1]

2021

Boxed warning and patient checklist

On 27 October 2021 the FDA restricted sale of breast implants to providers who give patients the risk information, and required a boxed warning, a patient decision checklist signed by the implanting physician, updated rupture screening recommendations and a patient device card.[1]

Pioneers

The surgeons who changed the operation

Their papers set the methods in use today.

1962

Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow

Introduced the first silicone gel breast implant.[1][2]

1956

R. J. Wise

Published the planning pattern used for anchor-scar reductions and lifts.[1][2]

1964 to 1994

Claude Lassus

Developed vertical mammaplasty and reported 710 patients over 30 years.[1][2]

1994

Madeleine Lejour

Modified the vertical scar reduction and added liposuction of the breast.[1][2]

1999

E. J. Hall-Findlay

Simplified vertical reduction with a medial pedicle in 400 reductions.[1]

1990

L. Benelli

Described the periareolar round block lift, with the scar only around the areola.[1]

2001, 2002

J. B. Tebbetts

Described dual plane augmentation and a 24-hour return to normal activities after augmentation.[1][2]

2003

R. M. Graf

Introduced the subfascial implant pocket.[1]

2007

S. R. Coleman

Reported structural fat grafting to the breast.[1]

1997

J. A. Keech Jr. and B. J. Creech

Reported the first case of lymphoma next to a breast implant.[1][2]

2015

G. S. Brody

Analyzed 173 cases of BIA-ALCL; every patient with a known implant history had at least one textured implant.[1]

2016

Mark W. Clemens

Showed that complete surgical excision gives the best outcomes in BIA-ALCL.[1]