Since 1962 between 1 million and 2.2 million women may have received silicone breast implants in the United States and Canada alone; no figures are available for other countries. In 196 4 hypergammaglobulinaemia was reported in two patients who had received silicone and paraffin injections; 18 years later, the first three patients with silicone breast implants and connective tissue diseases were reported on. Since then 293 patients with connective tissue diseases or complaints have been described in papers in English.1

In 1992 the United States Food and Drug Administration, after hearings before two independent advisory committees, placed a moratorium on the use of implants other than in research because of inadequate data on their safety.2 This year certain manufacturers of breast implants and their suppliers set aside funds of $4.225bn to deal with potential legal suits; and, in …