How to improve patient safety and quality of care in breast implant surgery? First outcomes from the Dutch Breast Implant Registry (2015-2017).

BACKGROUND: Although the use of breast implants is generally considered to be safe, breast implants are associated with short- and long-term complications. To evaluate and improve the quality of breast implant surgery, and increase our knowledge of implant performance, the national Dutch Breast Implant Registry (DBIR) was established in 2015. DBIR is one of the first up-and-running breast implant registries worldwide and follows an opt-out structure. OBJECTIVE: This article provides an overview of the first outcomes and experiences of the DBIR. METHODS: The national coverage of DBIR was studied using data from the Dutch Health and Youth Care Inspectorate. The incidence rate of breast implants was calculated for 2016 and 2017, and patient, device, and surgery characteristics were compared between cosmetic breast augmentations or reconstructive indications. Four infection control, measures were selected to demonstrate the variation in the Dutch clinical practice. RESULTS: In 2016, 95% of the hospitals and 78% of the private clinics participated in DBIR. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 15,049 patients and 30,541 breast implants were included. A minimum breast implant incidence rate of 1 per 1,691 women could be determined for 2017. The majority of devices were inserted for a cosmetic indication (85.2%). In general, patient, device, and surgery characteristics differed per indication group. Substantial variation was seen in the use of infection control measures (range 0-100%). CONCLUSION: Preliminary results obtained from DBIR show high national participation rates and support further developments toward the improvement of breast implant surgery and patient safety.

[Prevalence and characteristics of haemangiomas in young children]. / Prevalentie en kenmerken van hemangiomen bij jonge kinderen.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain current data on the prevalence and characteristics of haemangiomas within a population-based group of children. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHOD: During March-May 2002, all children aged 0-16 months who presented for regular check-ups at child health centres in the Tilburg area, The Netherlands, were examined by physicians for the presence of haemangiomas. The characteristics of the children with a haemangioma were recorded and parents were asked for more specific information. RESULTS: Of the 2204 children included, 219 (10) had 256 haemangiomas. The girl-boy ratio was 19:1 The haemangioma was already present at birth in 24% of children. Of the 256 haemangiomas, 15% were located subcutaneously, 33% were located in the head-neck area and 37% on the body. Of the 84 haemangiomas in the head-neck area, 75% were located on the scalp and forehead. Of the 219 children with a haemangioma, 7% and 6% visited a general practitioner or specialist regarding the haemangioma, respectively. They were consulted particularly when the haemangioma was present at birth, located subcutaneously, located in the head-neck area, and when multiple haemangiomas were present.