Plastic surgeon Asko Salmi says he is currently scheduled to surgically remove six pairs of PIP implants, but adds that the scare has not curbed women’s interest in implant brands considered safe.
The French company PIP enjoyed years of success, though the company hid fact that it was using cheap, industrial silicone not approved for medical use. Thousands of women have filed complaints over PIP implants in France, where surgeons have reported abnormally high rupture rates. Last week, PIP boss Jean-Claude Mas was charged with bodily harm. The French government recently advised women with PIP implants to have them removed, and said it would foot the bill for the operations in France, sparking alarm around the world.
The Finnish public healthcare system, which does not cover cosmetic procedures, removes ruptured or leaky implants given to cancer survivors.
Natrelle implants are the most popular brand in Finland, and some 1,800 are imported every year. Two thirds of all breast implants fitted in Finland are for cosmetic reasons.
Finnish medical watchdog Valvira has also blacklisted M and TiBreeze implants.
