[40 years of silicone breast implants].

[BACKGROUND] It is estimated that approximately 50,000 Norwegian women have silicone breast implants following breast augmentation or breast reconstruction. Their numbers are growing and doctors will more often be confronted with the health problems related to these implants.

[MATERIAL AND METHODS] This review is based on information retrieved from Medline and our clinical experience.

[RESULTS AND INTERPRETATION] The modern silicone breast implant is the product of four decades of development. The ongoing debate on health problems associated with the implants has been a vibrant stimulator for research, but a causal relationship between implants and the development of breast cancer and autoimmune defects has not been found. The implants are not, however, without complications; more research is required in order to improve the implants and for quality assurance of treatment and follow up.