Beijing woman sues clinic after animal-derived material found in breast implants

A Beijing woman is suing a beauty clinic after discovering animal-derived components were injected into her breasts during a supposed breast augmentation procedure, according to the China Central Television.

The woman underwent surgery in 2022 at the now-closed clinic named "Chumeiren." The clinic advertised an exclusive patent for a "CRT autologous collagen regeneration technology" that involved extracting the patient's blood and tissue for breast enhancement.

After paying roughly 540,000 yuan ($74,600) for the procedure, the woman initially saw positive results. However, over time, she experienced breast asymmetry and pain. Subsequent medical examinations revealed foreign implants.

Further tests at two hospitals confirmed the implants were not autologous tissue but synthetic materials containing animal-derived proteins, including those from camels, bats, and chimpanzees. Due to safety concerns, the woman underwent surgery to remove the implants and reconstruct her breasts.

The surgeon removed a yellow, oily substance totaling about 200 milliliters, replacing it with prosthetics. However, some residual material may remain, posing potential health risks.

A court awarded the woman 744,228 yuan ($103,400) in compensation, but the clinic's closure and owner disappearance make recovering the full amount difficult. The woman, now pregnant, worries about potential impacts on her ability to breastfeed.

Her mother also underwent a similar procedure at the clinic and experienced adverse effects. Both cases prompted an investigation by authorities to address concerns about medical malpractice and protect consumer health.

China's medical aesthetics industry has been rapidly growing, with the market size reaching 226.8 billion yuan ($31.5 billion) in 2022, according to an industry report. The surgical category accounts for nearly half the market, with over 20 million users in 2022.