Physician perspectives on breast implant illness: A survey of members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Abstract

Increasing patient reports of breast implant illness (BII), a broad constellation of symptoms noted by certain patients with breast implants, has prompted the plastic surgery community to explore this clinical entity. Although current research has investigated patient perspectives, few studies have examined physician opinions. We aimed to understand plastic surgeons' perspectives on BII and management patterns for patients presenting with these concerns. We distributed an IRB-approved survey to a pilot cohort comprising two American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) subcommittees and, subsequently, to a cohort of ASPS general members. Surveys were distributed via Survey Monkey from September to October 2021 (pilot), then from December 2021 to January 2022. Survey responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and qualitative coding by one reviewer using thematic analysis. A total of 62 (60.7%) and 589 responses (11.9%) were received from the pilot and member cohorts, respectively. In both cohorts, the largest portion of respondents identified as men who worked in large metropolitan areas. Respondents disagreed that current data suggest BII as a distinct clinical entity (pilot: 40.4%, n=25; final: 40.8%, n=213) and personally disagreed that BII exists (pilot: 37.1%, n=23; final: 50.9%, n=266). Most respondents had previously seen a patient who believed themselves to have BII (pilot: 88.7%, n=55; final: 94.1%, n=492). Although no consensus defining BII as a distinct disease exists, plastic surgeons are encountering patients seeking relief from its symptoms. Understanding surgeons' opinions on BII at the member leadership levels can guide future research and efforts for patient counseling.