In May 2024, Mr Nassab was one of few UK plastic surgeons to be invited to the Mentor Breast Symposium in Amsterdam. This meeting had over 400 delegates from around the world hearing from an international faculty of speakers. The aim of the meeting was to discuss advances in breast surgery from breast augmentation to reconstructive breast surgery. There were several key updates on experience and risks with breast implants. There were some very interesting talks on implant safety data.
A speaker from Spain, Dr Dominguez Bengoa shared the Spanish experience of tear drop breast implants. When asked are implants for life? They reported an implant removal rate at 21 years of only 9.2%. The reported implant rupture rate in their series was 5.1% over 21 years. The risk of capsular contracture was only 0.4% in primary augmentation but they reported higher rates in patients having revision surgery, uplifts with implants or mastopexy. Another common question that is always asked is if I can breast feed after having breast implants? They reported that 1.8% of patients were unable to breast feed after surgery. This is lower than reported rates in the general population which range from 5-10%.
The topic of Breast Implant Associated ALCL was a hot topic during the meeting. This has been studied extensively by scientist Dr Roger Wixtrom from the USA. The associated rates for the Mentor Siltex textured implants are about 1 in 37000 or 0.003% chance.
UK plastic surgeon Paul Harris from London chaired many sessions as well as sharing his experience about implant selection. Mr Paul Harris was one of Mr Nassab’s mentors during his training at the Royal Marsden Hospital. He was also his mentor during his aesthetic fellowship which covered a number of London hospitals such as The London Clinic, Weymouth Hospital, Cromwell Hospital, Welbeck Hospital and Wellington Hospital.
International faculty included Dr William Adams, Dallas plastic surgeon who shared his experience about fast recovery breast augmentation. This was an interesting talk which showed patients having their surgery then going shopping or out for dinner on the evening of their procedure. It was also a pleasure to hear the well known Swedish plastic surgeon Per Heden. He shared his method of breast implant planning.
The Mentor Breast Symposium was an excellent educational event that provided some key updates on breast implants from around the world.
