evaluation of implants

[Guest guest]

,

Here is some excellenet info from Lany's website:

http://community-2.webtv.net/lany25/LifeAfterBreast/

Obtaining and Handling Breast Implants After Explantation Surgery

Your implants are yours to keep, and every woman should keep her implants after explantation, especially if litigation is involved.Sometimes, after surgery, a woman's implants are given to her when she leaves. Other times, the doctor will have the implants taken to a pathology laboratory of his choice. If the surgery is done in a hospital, they most likely will be sent to their laboratory. Here, general testing is done...a description is dictated and later written in the operative report. To have specialized testing for microbes and chemical composition done, however, the implants will have to go to a laboratory that does such specialized testing. There are only a few laboratories that are qualified to do such such testing. A few will be listed toward the bottom of this page for your convenience.A woman would want to have her implants analyzed if she were ill with symptomology common to silicone poisoning, bacterial infection, and/or fungal infection. By discovering the particular contaminant, medication can be started to to eliminate them without undergoing many medications on a trial and error basis.To be certain you obtain your breast implants it is advisable that you first discuss this with your plastic surgeon and make your wishes understood. Then, to be certain that there cannot be a misunderstanding, a letter should be sent to the Plastic Surgeon, to The Pathology Laboratory where he will send your implants after surgery, if applicable, and to the Hospital Administator, if it is felt necessary. This letter would provide evidence that these were your wishes that your implants be returned, and would also aid in preventing any miscommunications from occurring. There is a sample letter listed below which may be tailored to fit your individual needs.There have been many instances where breast implants were destroyed as a result of miscommunication. There are different pathologists working in larger pathology laboratories, and it is essential that all are informed of your wishes. It has been suggested that a note pinned to your operating gown would also aid in preventing a mistake from occurring. Once you do receive your implants after all testing is completed, it is important that they be handled as what they are: Biohazard and Toxic Waste. Do NOT put them into your refrigerator for safe keeping as they will contaminate your food. Instead, keeping them in a dry and cool place where they will not be easily found is the best way to store them. If there are small children or curious teen-agers in your home, be certain you put them in a place where they will not be able to contaminate themselves by opening the containers. Always were a pair of latex or plastic gloves when handling your implants and clean the area where you have observed them (counter tops, etc) with a solution of bleach and water: 50:50. Below is the protocol produced by Dr. Saul Puszkin, which details the proper handling procedures for removed implants, tissue samples, and serum samples. Dr. Puszkin is the Professor of Pathology and Director of Molecular Cell Pathology Laboratories at The Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, NY.

Sample Letter Requesting that Implants be Sent to a Specialized Pathologist or Returned to Patient

January 18, 2002To Whom It May Concern: I am having bilateral saline breast implants removed on Friday, February 8, 2002 My surgeon is Dr. Huang. I would like for my implants to be sent to Dr. Pierre Blais in Canada for evaluation and analysis. It is necessary that the implants to be sent and addressed to Dr. Blais in a certain manner.In the event that you are unable to send them to Dr. Blais, I am requesting that the implants be given to me after surgery so that I can forward them to him. In the event that the implants are to be given to me to send to Dr. Blais, the implants would need to be placed in a sterile specimen bag and given to me after surgery. Dr. Huang is familiar with this procedure. If you are able to send them directly to Dr. Blais, they need to be placed in a specimen bag at room temperature and then placed in a crush-resistant box. The box needs to be labeled in the following manner:On the outside of the box, please print: "FAILED MEDICAL IMPLANT / FOR RESEARCH- -NO COMMERCIAL VALUE--NOT FOR REUSE."The implants need to be sent via UPS or Airborne Express. The implants are to be sent to the following address: Pierre BlaisInnoval496 Westminster Ave.Ottawa, OntarioK2A 2V1 Please do not send these to your pathology department. It is imperative that they NOT be placed in any kind of fixative. They are to be sent directly to Dr. Blais, or given to myself immediately after surgery! Thank you very much.Sincerely,

For Health Professionals:Protocol for Handling Removed Silicone Breast Implants

For Health Professionals: How to Handle Removed Silicone Implant Prosthesis:

Implant should be placed directly into a clean container of appropriate size. It should hold the specimens securely. Do NOT use a fixative.

Ruptured implants should be placed into a ziplock bag prior to insertion in plastic containers. This prevents leakage ig transit.

Use sterile gloves when handling implants and avoid unneccessary handling.

Label containers clearly and include:

-----Name of the patient, doctor, hospital.

-----Date prosthesis was surgically removed.

-----Memo with date submitted for testing.

-----Brief description of the implant. It is important to note whether the implant is ruptured and from right or left breast.

-----Submit relevant information regarding the explanted prosthesis such as the pathology reports, histological slides, biopsies, and paraffin blocks if they are available.

-----Notes regarding clinical histories and device manufacturer (type/date) are useful information.

Tissue Specimens: Submitting and Handling Tissues:

Use a small piece of tissue for fixation in formaldehyde for routine pathology.

The remaining tissue specimens shoudl be place in a clean container of appropriate size to ensure integrity and minimal degradation during transit (fresh or unfixed).

Handle tissue samples gently and with gloves.

Capsule or other tissues attached to silicone bag implants should be kept with the Implant and refrigerated.

If tissues detached from explants are to be kept under long-term storage prior to submission to us, they should be frozen and kept at (-20Oc).

If tissues are shipped for tests immediately after surgery, send them refrigerated (4Oc) iwth icepacks.

Tissue specimens should be placed in sample containers which are clearly labeled (see implants) and firmly shut.

Blood Serum: Submitting and Handling Serum Samples:

If serum is to be kept under long-term storage, keep it frozen (-20Oc).

If serum is drawn one to three days prior to shipping, keep blood samples refrigerated (4 Oc).

Pathologists Specialized in Examination of Silicone/Saline Breast Implants:

Pathologists experienced in examination of silicone gel and saline-filled silicone breast implants are listed below. When contacting the laboratory of your choice, ask about fees, whether or not they accept insurance, length of time it will take until you receive report from pathologist, and what tests will be run on your implants. Contact your insurance carrier and ask about coverage for this laboratory expense.Dr. Saul PuszkinProfessor of PathologyDept. of Pathology Box 1194Mount Sinai Medical Center1 Gustave L. Levy Placenew York, NY 10029-6574(212) 241 - 5635 or Columbia UniversityAudubon Bldg. P & S3960 BroadwayNew York, NY 10032Voice mail - (212) 342 - 7272SaulP2000@...Dr. Pierre Blaisc/o Innoval Ltd.496 Westminster Ave.Ottawa, Ontario K2A2V1Canada(613) 728 - 8688(613) 728 - 0687 faxDr. MiddletonUniversity of California - San DiegoImaging Department410 W. Dickinson St.San Diego, CA 92103Direct Line: (619) 543 - 3913Dept. Line: (619) 543 - 6414

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

From: cindy DiStaulo

Sent: Wednesday, October 23, 2002 9:40 PM

Subject: evaluation of implants

HI,

I am having my saline implants removed on November 5 and would like information on having them analyzed, where to send them, how to send them, etc. I want to have them checked for fungus, bacteria, etc.

Thanks for your reply.

d.

[Guest guest]

HI,

I am having my saline implants removed on November 5 and would like information on having them analyzed, where to send them, how to send them, etc. I want to have them checked for fungus, bacteria, etc.

Thanks for your reply.

d.

[Guest guest]

When you're being explanted, have your surgeon send the implants to Dr. Blais in Canada--DIRECTLY. Don't send them yourself or they can be considered tampered with.

-Marie