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.

WITHOUT WARNING

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

By Spencer Woodman and Razzan Nakhlawi

More than 2,000 patients around the world say they were not warned about the potential harm related to their medical implant.
IMPACT

Allergan Textured Breast Implant Sales Halted in Europe Amid Safety Controversy

By Simon Bowers and Hamish Boland-Rudder

A specific type of Allergan breast implant that has been linked to an emerging form of cancer has been recalled in Europe, French authorities announced on Tuesday.
TRANSPARENCY

How medical device harm is concealed

By Sasha Chavkin

The Implant Files identified three critical failures that lead to underreporting of patient harm from implanted devices of all kinds.

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

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

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

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

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

How a women-led news organization is holding the powerful to account in Brazil
Implant Files in Europe: Patients will be heard as safety failings are laid bare
A reporting lesson: ‘Take a chance and show up’
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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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