Breast Implant Registry Aids Future of Breast Augmentation According to Chicago Plastic Surgeon
Plastic Surgeon in Chicago on Registering Breast Implants after Augmentation
In collaboration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has recently been establishing a national registry for breast implants to document information on each individual patient’s breast implant type and medical history with the procedure. While the registry is not mandatory, Dr. Brian Braithwaite, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Chicago, says it can offer patients and surgeons access to previously unavailable information that will help track success with breast implants and also pinpoint areas for improvement.
At his Chicago plastic surgery practice, Dr. Brian Braithwaite says he is encouraging his breast augmentation patients to be diligent in their post-operative care and follow-ups by participating in a recently established breast implant registry. The registry, while not mandatory at this time, is being implemented to help surgeons and implant manufacturers track the success of implants and improve their quality. By keeping record of the implant type and medical history of every patient, Dr. Braithwaite says he hopes the registry will offer valuable information to further enhance safety for patients. For his patients who have undergone a procedure to have breast implants in Chicago, he says registering with the program ensures safe documentation that can aid in the improvement of patient care and quality implant manufacturing.
Developed to help record reported cases of a rare condition called Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) are currently working on extending the registry to encompass all breast implant patients. Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL) is a treatable condition that manifests in scar tissue, found in only 34 patients out of the five to ten million in the world who have had breast implants. Dr. Braithwaite says he supports the FDA and ASPS efforts and urges his Chicago breast augmentation patients to participate in the registry. He says that the registry can aid in promoting the future of breast implant technology by tracking data to show which implants are most effective and which implants are associated with the most complications. “As the ASPS establishes a national registry with the FDA, our society will help to foster better insight into this extremely rare condition related to scar tissue around the implant. In the long run, more scientific data is always more beneficial to silicone breast augmentation patients because it enhances the safety of these devices.”
For patients who have already undergone breast augmentation or are considering a procedure involving breast implants, Dr. Braithwaite says to be sure to consult a surgeon who supports breast implant registration. He adds that by encouraging patients to register their implants, doctors display their commitment to patient care and the future of the safe practice of breast augmentation and reconstruction. “All ASPS member surgeons should continue to embrace the recommendations of both the ASPS and the FDA because the information obtained from such a registry contributes to patient safety, a paramount concern in cosmetic surgery.”
About Brian M. Braithwaite, MD
Dr. Brian Braithwaite graduated from the University of Chicago and received his medical education at the University of Illinois College of Medicine. After completing a surgical internship in Chicago, he joined the United States Navy and served a tour with the Marines. Dr. Braithwaite resumed formal surgical training during a residency in general surgery at Keesler Medical Center at Keesler Air Force Base, where he focused on plastic surgery. He also received extensive training in plastic surgery at the University of Louisville. Dr. Braithwaite is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. During his time with the military, he achieved the rank of Commander and spent several years of active duty as the Chief of Plastic Surgery at Bethesda Naval Medical Center.
Located at 601 West Randolph Street in Chicago, IL, Dr. Braithwaite’s practice can be reached at (312) 361-8108. He can also be contacted online via the website drbraithwaite.com or facebook.com/plasticsurgeonschicago.
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