The breast implant serial number, often called a device identification number, is a unique alphanumeric code assigned by the manufacturer to a single medical device. This identifier creates a permanent link to that specific product’s history and manufacturing details. The purpose of this unique tracking number is to create a reliable audit trail for the implant model, type, size, and texture placed inside a patient’s body, ensuring the manufacturer can track its production and distribution.
Why Implant Identification is Important
Knowing the details of your implanted device is important for long-term health management and safety. The identification number facilitates compliance with regulatory bodies, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which requires tracking of medical devices. The serial number links the patient to a specific batch of implants, enabling manufacturers to contact patients quickly if a safety alert or product recall is issued.
Identification is also necessary for potential future medical procedures. If revision surgery is required, the serial number helps the surgeon precisely determine the implant’s specifications, including the manufacturer, style, and size. Furthermore, this documentation is often necessary to successfully file a warranty claim for a replacement device, as many manufacturers offer coverage based on the device’s history and age.
Where to Locate Your Serial Number Documentation
The most straightforward place to find your breast implant serial number is on the Patient Identification Card. This small, often plastic or laminated card is provided by the manufacturer. The surgeon should have affixed the unique product stickers, taken directly from the implant packaging, onto the card before giving it to you. The card contains the serial number, lot number, manufacturer name, implant style, and size.
If the patient card is lost, request copies of your medical records from the original surgical facility or the surgeon’s office. The operative report is the most important document. It is standard practice for the surgical team to place the implant stickers, which bear the serial and lot numbers, directly onto the report or chart. The device information may also be recorded in the nursing notes within the surgical facility’s charting.
While many surgeons retain records indefinitely, the legal requirement for record retention varies by state and may be as short as seven to ten years. If the surgeon is no longer in practice or the records have been destroyed, contact the hospital or accredited surgery center where the procedure took place for archival records. The serial number should have been submitted to the manufacturer for patient registration, offering a final point of contact.
Using the Serial Number to Identify Your Implant
Once the serial number is located, you can use it to verify the full specifications of the device. Major breast implant manufacturers, such as Mentor and Allergan (Natrelle), maintain tracking databases and may offer dedicated portals or contact services for lookups. Inputting the serial number retrieves specific data points, including the implant’s catalog number, exact volume (cc), and date of manufacture.
This process can also help determine if your specific implant has been flagged for safety concerns. Newer implants often include a Unique Device Identification (UDI) number, which may be scannable via a QR code. The UDI provides a comprehensive data set used by healthcare providers to check details against national databases, like the National Breast Implant Registry (NBIR). Utilizing the manufacturer’s system is the most direct way to confirm the device’s authenticity and specifications.
Alternative Methods for Implant Identification
If all administrative documentation is unavailable, alternative medical methods can be used to identify the implants. Consulting with a plastic surgeon who specializes in revision surgery is a practical step, as they are trained to look for subtle physical clues. Some older implants, particularly those from manufacturers like Allergan, may have the brand name and size imprinted directly onto the shell, which can sometimes be seen on advanced imaging.
A surgeon can order an MRI or high-resolution ultrasound to evaluate the device’s characteristics without surgery. The imaging may reveal details about the shell texture (smooth or textured) or the type of internal filler, which narrows down the potential manufacturer and model. Even if the operative report lacks the serial number, it often lists the product name and manufacturer used during the procedure, providing a starting point for the search.