Most Commonly Implanted Medical Devices

We don’t often think of implanted medical devices in the same frame of reference as that odd old TV show “The 6 Million Dollar Man” but more and more of us are kind of like that guy! Implanted medical devices have become so common and so widely used over the years that many of us don’t even think of them as implants! Without looking at the list, can you even name 10 medical implants? Most people can’t. It turns out that sooner or later, most of us are just a little bit cyborg! In order of usage below, are the top ten most common medical implants placed into the body in the United States, including the approximate total number of procedures performed per year and the approximate average cost. As a plastic surgeon, I think it is remarkable to consider that breast implants are on this very illustrious top ten list! This is even more remarkable in light of the fact that breast implants are the only implants on the list that are purely elective and not medically mandated.
1. Artificial Lens for the Eye (cataract surgery)
Over 2.5 million artificial lenses are placed each year, the average cost is about $4500.
2. Ear Tubes (for recurrent ear infections)
Over 700,000 ear tube procedures are performed each year, the average cost is about $2500.
3. Artificial Knee/Knee Joint Replacement
About 700,000 knee replacement procedures are performed each year, the average cost is about $22,000.
4. Coronary Artery Stents (opens blocked heart arteries)
More than 500,000 stent procedures are performed each year, the average cost is about $12,000.
5. Dental Implants