New Review of Silicone Implants Urged

Plastic surgeons asked the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday to convene a new panel of scientific experts to review the latest safety information on silicone gel breast implants.

Officials of the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, based in Chicago, said their offices have received a significant increase in calls from anxious women who have breast implants.

To answer the concerns of these patients, the surgeons’ group wants the FDA to announce a final decision on the use of breast implants no later than Feb. 25.

Ten days ago, FDA Commissioner David A. Kessler asked physicians to stop inserting silicone gel breast implants until agency officials and its advisory panel could evaluate new information on the devices.

The new information on the implants includes some that came from court cases.