Myrl Jeffcoat wisgroup_leader@yahoo.com

Thanks to Barbara Hasenour for sending the following article from Science Direct.

Myrl

Abstract

Silicone elastomers are widely used in implantable devices, including silicone breast implants. These rubbers are generally formed/cured using platinum-catalyzed hydrosilylation. The current scientific literature on the chemistry of platinum is reviewed, as it applies to the use of platinum catalysts for cure of silicone elastomers destined for use in silicone breast implants. These discussions serve as a basis to examine the recent literature describing release of platinum into tissues adjacent to silicone breast implants, the chemical nature of the platinum present in breast implants and the possible association between platinum and clinical outcomes.

Editors Note: This review covers a controversial aspect of the clinical consequences of the use of silicone gel based breast implants and relates to matters that have been subject to product liability litigation. The Editor-in-Chief wishes it to be known that for a number of years he was involved with, and received compensation for testimony in, this litigation. On receipt of this unsolicited review, the Editor-in-Chief selected two highly qualified referees, both well known for their robust and impartial scientific work on silicone breast implants, who both submitted extensive, constructive but critical reports on the manuscript. The paper was substantially revised in the light of these reports and the Editor-in-Chief believes that the published version is a scientifically valid, academically sound review of this subject. Readers should note that the format of this review, especially in the citations, deviates slightly from normal practice (for example with the use of some web-site sourced information) which we believe is appropriate in this situation but should not be taken as a precedent.

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1 The author provided information on the chemical nature of the platinum in silicone breast implants at the FDA panel hearing on breast implants April 2005 on behalf of Inamed Corporation. He was also a member of a Health Canada regulatory advisory panel considering applications by Mentor Corporation and Inamed Corporation for new breast implant models in March and September 2005.