FDA Recalls Breast Implants Because of Health Risks Including Death

To protect individuals from the increased risk of breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), associated with Allergan BIOCELL textured breast implants, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested that Allergan recall its BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders. Allergan agreed and is removing these products from the global market. The FDA requested that Allergan recall all BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders marketed in the U.S. based on newly submitted Medical Device Reports (MDRs) reporting worldwide cases of BIA-ALCL and BIA-ALCL-related deaths associated with these devices. Allergan has notified the FDA that it will recall its BIOCELL textured breast implants and tissue expanders from the global market.

These products have the same BIOCELL textured surface (shell), which is a unique surface used only by Allergan. A list of Allergan’s BIOCELL textured devices marketed in the U.S. that will be voluntarily recalled can be found at the end of this communication.

The FDA’s analysis was attributed to a new worldwide reported total of 573 unique BIA-ALCL cases including 33 patient deaths. Of the 573 cases of BIA-ALCL, 481 are reported to have Allergan breast implants at the time of diagnosis. In addition, 12 of 13 deaths occurring in patients with BIA-ALCL where the manufacturer was known occurred in patients implanted with an Allergan breast implant at the time of their BIA-ALCL diagnosis. The manufacturer and/or texture is unknown for the remaining 20 reported deaths from BIA-ALCL.

Based on the currently available information, including the newly submitted data, our analysis demonstrates that the risk of BIA-ALCL with Allergan BIOCELL textured implants is approximately 6 times the risk of BIA-ALCL with textured implants from other manufacturers marketing in the U.S. and continued distribution of Allergan’s Biocell BIOCELL textured breast implants would likely cause serious, adverse health consequences and potentially death from BIA-ALCL.

 

Patients: Important Recommendations If You Have Allergan BIOCELL Breast Implants

• If you have no symptoms, we are not recommending the removal of these or other types of breast implants due to the low risk of developing BIA-ALCL. However, if you have any questions, talk to your health care provider.
• Know the symptoms of BIA-ALCL – primarily persistent swelling or pain near the breast implant – and monitor the area around your breast implants for any changes.
• If you experience any of these symptoms or other changes, talk to your health care provider regarding the need for further evaluation. Evaluation for BIA-ALCL typically involves a physical exam, imaging, and/or assessment of the fluid or tissue around the breast implant. It is important to undergo an evaluation to diagnose BIA-ALCL since a confirmed BIA-ALCL diagnosis may change the type of operation that should be performed.
• Based on discussions with your health care provider, patients with confirmed BIA-ALCL should undergo implant removal and removal of the surrounding scar capsule, which is a more extensive operation than implant removal alone.
• As with any implanted device, it is good to keep a record of the device manufacturer, unique device identifier, and implant model name. You may have received this information on a patient device card from your surgeon. If you would like to obtain any of this information, consider asking your surgeon or obtaining the record of your surgery (operative notes) from the facility where it was performed.
• Understand that most cases of BIA-ALCL occur many years after breast implant placement. Talk to your surgeon about your risk of developing BIA-ALCL.
• If you are considering breast implants, please see these important recommendations.

If you have questions, email the Division of Industry and Consumer Education (DICE) at [email protected] or call 800-638-2041 or 301-796-7100.

Affected Products

Allergan Natrelle Saline-Filled Breast Implants (formerly McGhan RTV Saline-Filled Mammary Implant) approved under P990074. The following are the textured styles:

• Style 163 – BIOCELL Textured Shaped Full Height, Full Projection Saline Breast Implants
• Style 168 – BIOCELL Textured Round Moderate Profile Saline Breast Implants, also referred to as 168MP (168 Moderate Profile)
• Style 363 – BIOCELL Textured Shaped Moderate Height, Full Projection Saline Breast Implants, Allergan catalog includes 363LF, or 363 Low Height Full Projection
• Style 468 – BIOCELL Textured Shaped Full Height Moderate Projection Saline Breast Implants

Allergan Natrelle Silicone-Filled Textured Breast Implants (formerly Inamed Silicone-Filled Breast Implants) approved under P020056. The following are the textured styles:

• Style 110 – BIOCELL Textured Round Moderate Projection Gel Filled Breast Implants
• Style 115 – BIOCELL Textured Round Midrange Projection Gel Filled Breast Implants
• Style 120 – BIOCELL Textured Round High Projection Gel Filled Breast Implants
• Style TRL – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Responsive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TRLP – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Responsive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TRM – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Responsive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TRF – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Responsive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TRX – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Responsive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TCL – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Cohesive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TCLP – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Cohesive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TCM – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Cohesive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TCF – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Cohesive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TCX – Natrelle Inspira BIOCELL Textured Cohesive Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TSL – Natrelle BIOCELL Textured Soft Touch Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TSLP – Natrelle BIOCELL Textured Soft Touch Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TSM – Natrelle BIOCELL Textured Soft Touch Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TSF – Natrelle BIOCELL Textured Soft Touch Silicone-Filled Breast Implants
• Style TSX – Natrelle BIOCELL Textured Soft Touch Silicone-Filled Breast Implants

Natrelle 410 Highly Cohesive Anatomically Shaped Silicone Filled Breast Implants approved under P040046. The following are the textured styles:

• Style 410FM
• Style 410FF
• Style 410MM
• Style 410 MF
• Style 410 FL
• Style 410 ML
• Style 410 LL
• Style 410 LM
• Style 410 LF
• Style 410 FX
• Style 410 MX
• Style 410 LX

Allergan tissue expanders for the breast that have BIOCELL texturing originally cleared as:

• Natrelle 133 Plus Tissue Expander (K143354)
• Natrelle 133 Tissue Expander with Suture Tabs (K102806)