Polyurethane coating reduces implant complications after mastectomy, cancer study finds

Non-coated silicone implants found to lead to higher levels of scarring, infections and necessity for further operations

Women with breast cancer who have reconstructive surgery after a mastectomy are much less likely to have complications if they have a polyurethane-coated implant, according to research.

About 55,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in the UK every year, of whom about 30% have a mastectomy. Many of these will subsequently have radiotherapy.