Fw: Dr.Zuckerman on Breast Implants and Infections

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----- Original Message -----

From: " Ilena Rose " <ilena@...>

<Recipient List Suppressed:;>

Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 2:44 PM

Subject: Dr.Zuckerman on Breast Implants and Infections

Date: Tue, 19 Feb 2002 14:32:16 -0500

From: " " <dz@...>

ilena@...

Subject: infections from breast implants

Dear Ilena,

WeÝwanted to respond to the article you sent me on sepsis with

information compiled by our staff -- please distribute this to your list.

Breast implants are like any other type of implanted device: they are at

risk ofÝ becoming " colonized " by bacteria. There is ample evidence that

breast implants can be become infected with a variety of bacteria.

Bacterial infection can occur through direct contamination of the area

around theimplant or through " seeding " of bacteria from infections in

other parts ofthe body.

Certain medical procedures, like dental work, can cause temporary

elevations in the number of bacteria found in the blood, and this can

lead to infection of breast implants.

It would be wise for women with breast implants to at least

discussÝpreventive antibiotic therapy with their doctor or dentist before

undergoing dental work or any other invasivemedical procedure.

The CPR website has a brief article on this

issue:http://www.cpr4womenandfamilies.org/qna10.html .

The abstract that you sent by Petit et al. is a bit vague and perhaps

misleading when it states that breast implants " are not at high risk of

sepsis. " Sepsis, a widespread infectionÝ throughout the body that is life

threatening, is indeed rare with breast implants.

However, if the word, " sepsis, " is meant to refer to any type of

infection, then the statement is simply incorrect.

Infections of breast implants are not uncommon, especially low-leve

lbacterial infections that may not cause any obvious symptoms.

A lack of symptoms does not equal a lack of problems.

Evidence is growing that even low-level bacterial infections of breast

implants can contribute to the problem of capsular contraction-- the

fibrous contraction of tissue around breast implants that can cause pain

and require the removal of implants.

Virtually every implanted device is likely to become colonized by at

least some bacteria, and the risk for bacterial infection will rise over

time.

Certain devices, such as heart valves, that are more directly exposed

toblood flow may be at somewhat higher risk for bacterial infection

comparedto breast implants.

However, the risk of infection is very real for breast implants, and

low-level bacterial infections may be more common than we know. Ý

Sincerely, Ý Zuckerman, Ph.D.

President

National Center for Policy Research for Women & Families

1901 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 901

Washington, DC 20006 202 223-4000

www.center4policy.org