FDA Breast Implant Guidance.  Recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) studies tracked risks associated with breast implants, including breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma and systemic symptoms commonly referred to as breast implant illness that some patients attribute to their implants.  The FDA convened a General and Plastic Surgery Devices Advisory Panel to discuss the long-term benefits and risks of breast implants.

On September 29, 2020, the FDA issued recommendations concerning breast implant labels to help patients make an informed decision about whether to get breast implants.  The guidance provides recommendations concerning the content and format for certain labeling information for saline and silicone gel-filled breast implants, including:

• a boxed warning for breast implants to communicate risks to patients;
• a patient decision checklist highlighting key information regarding risks should be included in a patient information booklet or brochure;
• materials and device descriptions, including types and quantities of chemicals and heavy metals found in or released by breast implants;
• silicone gel-filled breast implant rupture screening recommendations; and
• a patient device card with specific information about their breast implant product.

 
Informed Consent.  A health care provider must obtain informed consent from a patient or the patient's representative before performing medical treatment.  Informed consent is the process by which the treating health care provider discloses information to a patient or the patient's representative so the patient may make a voluntary choice to accept or refuse treatment.  Informed consent generally includes a discussion of the following elements:

• the nature of the decision or procedure proposed by the provider;
• reasonable alternatives to the proposed intervention;
• the relevant risks, benefits, and uncertainties related to each alternative;
• assessment of the patient's understanding; and
• the acceptance of the intervention by the patient.

 
Uniform Disciplinary Act.  The Uniform Disciplinary Act (UDA) is a standardized set of procedures for enforcing laws concerning licensure and misconduct of licensed health care professionals.  The UDA includes the list of acts that constitute unprofessional conduct.  All licensed health care professionals are subject to the UDA.

Beginning January 1, 2022, before a licensed physician or a licensed osteopathic physician performs a breast implant surgery, the physician must provide the patient with the following information in writing or electronic form:

• a description of the risks associated with breast implants and a description of the surgical procedures used in breast implant surgery;
• notice that breast implants are not considered lifetime devices, and the chance of developing complications increases over time and some complications will require more surgery;
• information provided by the breast implant manufacturer concerning the implants to be used in the surgery;
• warning requirements issued by the FDA;
• information on breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma, breast implant illness, and systemic symptoms associated with breast implants;
• national breast implant registry information; and
• how to report adverse events associated with breast implants through the FDA's Medwatch Program or any similar program.

 
The information provided to the patient must be based on the information generally available to physicians who specialize in breast implant surgery.  After the physician provides the required information, the physician must obtain written informed consent for the procedure from the patient before performing breast implant surgery.  A violation of any of these rules constitutes unprofessional conduct.