Government advisers have recommended that silicone breast implants be returned to the U.S. market, though with restrictions on how easily women can get them.
By a 7-2 vote Wednesday, A U.S. Food and Drug Administration panel said the Mentor Corporation had proved its product safe.
On Tuesday, the panel recommended the FDA reject a similar application by rival implant manufacturer Inamed, saying the company failed to prove its devices are less likely to rupture today than a decade ago.
The panel also recommended the FDA attach several conditions if it approves the Mentor product, including requiring hands-on training for surgeons inserting the implants, and keeping a registry of breast implant recipients.
Citing health concerns caused by implant ruptures, the FDA banned the devices in 1992 -- except for reconstructive surgery patients and breast cancer survivors.
Some information for this report provided by AP and Bloomberg.