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source: . . . Plastic surgeons, of course! - Rogene

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Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons Prepare for the Comeback of

Silicone Gel Breast Implants

Friday April 21, 8:00 am ET

Use, Efficacy and Safety to Be Discussed at Annual

Meeting

ORLANDO, April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Society

for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) announced that

the course, " Silicone Breast Implants: Use, Efficacy

and Safety: The Immediate Horizon and Beyond, " will be

presented to plastic surgeons at the Aesthetic

Society's Annual Meeting, taking place April 21-25 in

Orlando, FL. The course is designed to update plastic

surgeons on the use of silicone gel implants, which

could become widely available this year if the FDA

restrictions on their use are lifted.

The overall aim of the training is to optimize patient

safety and limit the complications and reoperation

rates for patients undergoing breast enhancement with

silicone gel devices. In addition to an overview of

regulatory issues, the silicone gel implant course

will provide the most current information on the

differences and benefits of saline and silicone gel,

managing patient expectations, improving operative

techniques, reducing reoperation rates, and preventing

and managing complications. Since 1992, the Food and

Drug Administration has restricted silicone gel breast

implants for use only in very limited indications,

such as for mastectomy patients seeking breast

reconstruction.

" Since the restriction on silicone gel implants in

1992, there has been a generation of plastic surgeons

who have limited, if any, experience with these types

of implants, " said Dr. Foad Nahai, the course

facilitator. " This program will introduce them to the

differences between gel and saline implants. It will

also educate all surgeons, even those who have used

silicone gel in the past, about its use, the most

effective and safe surgical procedures and how to

decrease complication rates. "

The change in the availability of silicone gel

implants will create new options for women considering

breast surgery for the first time and for those who

have had previous surgeries but are seeking implant

replacement or revision. The intensive training on

silicone breast implants will feature a discussion of

specific methods on how surgeons can improve the

quality of patient outcomes and significantly reduce

reoperation rates through better preoperative planning

and more precise surgical technique.

" With silicone gel implants set to possibly become a

more widely available option, surgeons will need

current and accurate information on breast implant

techniques to ensure patient safety and satisfaction, "

said Dr. V. Leroy Young, Chair of ASAPS Breast Surgery

Committee and Associate Editor of Aesthetic Surgery

Journal, the official, peer-reviewed publication of

the Society. " This course provides much needed

information for all cosmetic surgeons who will be

performing breast implant procedures. "

In 2005, almost 300,000 patients underwent breast

augmentation procedures, according to the Aesthetic

Society's most recent statistics. Since breast

implants may not last a lifetime, these patients are

among over two million with existing implants who may

need upgrades and replacements in the future. During

the silicone breast implant course, expert surgeons

will outline a process to address the specific needs

of women with existing breast implants who need

revision or replacements.

" We are proud to provide this necessary component of

member education to aesthetic plastic surgeons across

the country and in Canada, " said Mark Jewell, MD,

President of ASAPS. " It will ensure that our members

remain up to date on the proper protocols both for

first time breast implant surgery and for reoperation

procedures. This course is one of the many ways that

we will continue to do everything possible to make

these procedures as safe and effective as possible. "

Silicone Breast Implants: Use, Efficacy and

Safety:

Friday, April 21, 2006, 8am-12pm

Presenters are available for interviews.

Please contact the ASAPS communications staff.

The 2300-member American Society for Aesthetic Plastic

Surgery (ASAPS) is the only plastic surgery

organization devoted entirely to the advancement of

cosmetic surgery. ASAPS is recognized throughout the

world as the authoritative source for cosmetic surgery

education. U.S. members are certified by the American

Board of Plastic Surgery. Canadian members are

certified in plastic surgery by the Royal College of

Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Toll-free referral line: 888.ASAPS.11 (272.7711). Web

site: http://www.surgery.org

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Source: American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery