Implant Files

Health authorities across the globe have failed to protect millions of patients from poorly tested implants, the first-ever global examination of the medical device industry reveals.

IMPACT

US to Investigate Health Impact of Nickel, Silicone in Medical Implants

By Sasha Chavkin

The FDA has announced a fresh probe into adverse patient reactions to materials used in breast implants, metal-on-metal hips and birth control coil Essure.
IMPACT

‘It is a big problem’: European lawmakers discuss medical device oversight

By Douglas Dalby

Europe should force medical equipment companies to set up a fund to help victims of faulty devices as part of a complete overhaul of legislation governing the industry, a parliamentary committee heard.
SAFETY CHECK

Video: How To Search The International Medical Devices Database

By Razzan Nakhlawi and Emilia Díaz-Struck

Medical device recall and safety data from five new countries have been added to database, boosting the total number of records to more than 90,000.

Do you work in the medical industry? Or have experience with a medical device? Our reporting is not done yet. We want to hear from you.

Tell us your story!

Implant Files: An Introduction

By ICIJ.org

Patients around the world have become unwitting test subjects for new medical technology. Often following the trusted advice of their doctors, they have been injured, maimed and killed by poorly-tested implants.

In this investigation

DYSFUNCTIONAL SYSTEM

French Parliamentary Body Advocates For Radical Overhaul Of Medical Device Market

By Douglas Dalby

IMPLANT FILES

Leading manufacturer exits vaginal mesh market

By Simon Bowers

EUROPE

Belgium Investigates Medical Device Bribery Allegations In Wake Of Implant Files

By Douglas Dalby

US ELECTION

Amy Klobuchar’s Implant Industry Support Complicates Her Pro-Consumer Reputation

By Spencer Woodman, Sydney P. Freedberg and Amy Forliti

IMPACT

The Implant Files Sparked Reform Around The World. Here’s Why We’re Still Reporting.

By Sasha Chavkin

NEW STUDY

Rare immune-system cancer linked for first time to buttock implant

By Sasha Chavkin

IMPACT

Britain Considers Medical Implants Registry to Improve Patient Safety

By Simon Bowers

DEVICE SAFETY

Experts Weigh Whether Vaginal Mesh Should Be Pulled From US Market

By Sasha Chavkin

IMPACT

French inquiry urges ban of popular breast implant but balks at blanket prohibition

By Sasha Chavkin and Douglas Dalby

IMPACT

Germany moves on implant registry

By Douglas Dalby

Implant Files

Implant tourism leaves patients in pain and far from their surgeon

By Will Fitzgibbon

WITHOUT WARNING

Patients Across The World Outraged By Failure To Inform Them Of Device Dangers

By Spencer Woodman and Razzan Nakhlawi

BREAST IMPLANTS

Allergan Faces Fresh Woes As Investors Sue

By Sasha Chavkin

ACCOUNTABILITY

Europe Has A Chance To Force Medical Device Companies To Make Safety Data Public

By Simon Bowers

TRANSPARENCY

How medical device harm is concealed

By Sasha Chavkin

DATA METHODOLOGY

Algorithms, Analysis And Adverse Events: How ICIJ Used Machine Learning To Help Find Medical Device Issues

By Emilia Díaz-Struck and Rigoberto Carvajal

IMPACT

Allergan Textured Breast Implant Sales Halted in Europe Amid Safety Controversy

By Simon Bowers and Hamish Boland-Rudder

BROKEN RECALLS

Hidden dangers: patients, doctors not informed of defective implants

By Spencer Woodman

KEY FACTS

Everything You Need to Know About the Implant Files

By Hilary Fung and Antonio Cucho Gamboa

UNDER THE SKIN

Patients Fight For Answers As Broken Implants Cause Unseen Agony

By Spencer Woodman

Implant Files

Breast Implant Injuries Kept Hidden As New Health Threats Surface

By Sasha Chavkin

CONFRONTING THE UNKNOWN

Experts Warn Expanded Heart Valve Use Risks Patient Safety

By Cat Ferguson and Petra Blum

IMPLANT FILES

Medical Devices Harm Patients Worldwide As Governments Fail On Safety

By ICIJ

THE MEDTRONIC WAY

Medtech Giant Pushes Boundaries As Casualties Mount And Sales Soar

By Sydney P. Freedberg and Scilla Alecci

THE WORLD'S GUINEA PIGS

How Lobbying Blocked European Safety Checks For Dangerous Medical Implants

By Simon Bowers

COST OF REVOLUTION

Patient Hopes Rise And Fall As An Industry Balances Progress And Profit

By Dean Starkman and Delphine Reuter

INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICES DATABASE

New Database Tracks Faulty Medical Devices Across The Globe

By Emilia Díaz-Struck

INFORMATION

Frequently asked questions and resources for readers

By Amy Wilson-Chapman

Implant Files

Video: Meet The Patients With Defective Devices

By Razzan Nakhlawi

Implant Files

Do events in the Implant Files sound familiar? Share your story with the world

By ICIJ

Implant Files

Video: A Global Investigation Into Medical Device Harm

By Scilla Alecci

Implant Files

Video: Why Join The Implant Files Investigation?

By Razzan Nakhlawi

In Our blog

New countries, new languages added to the International Medical Devices Database
How I ended up with my own medical device while investigating the Implant Files
How a women-led news organization is holding the powerful to account in Brazil
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The ICIJ is dedicated to ensuring all reports we publish are accurate. If you believe you have found an inaccuracy let us know.

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