There is even a medical procedure, called a closed capsulotomy, in which trauma is intentionally inflicted to loosen normal scar tissue surrounding the implant. This procedure, which is not recommended by implant manufacturers, can cause rupture. Another warning sign is that the study examines a nonrepresentative sample of women. The study drew participants from a larger study of 17,424 women found through 19 plastic surgery practices, but only took women from two of those practices, both located in Birmingham, Alabama. Birmingham is the unofficial capital of breast implant litigation.
Respondents there are more likely than most to have a history of implant complaints.
Furthermore, of the 3,593 women invited to participate in the study, only 359 agreed to do so. It is not unlikely that women with implant problems were more interested in participation than women with no complaints. This is somewhat akin to studying the nation's fondness for the Pittsburgh Steelers by interviewing only Pittsburghers with an interest in football. The study's results simply won't be representative of the nation as a whole. Given the Clinton Administration's propensity to grant favors to its political donors, and the fact that trial lawyers are top Clinton donors, the FDA should explain its involvement in a study of questionable objectivity.