From the news agencies

SANTA ANA, Calif.—A plastic surgeon pleaded guilty Monday to misdemeanor charges after giving four women silicone implants at a time when their use for cosmetic breast enlargements was prohibited.

Dr. Frederic H. Corbin, 63, pleaded guilty to four counts of introducing adulterated devices as part of a plea agreement. He faces up to four years in prison and may be fined when he is sentenced on Dec. 17.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ken Julian said he would recommend probation for Corbin.

Silicone for breast enlargements was not approved by the Food and Drug Administration when Corbin implanted four women in 1996, but it was allowed for women with specific medical conditions. Silicone implants were re-approved last year for cosmetic enhancements and are now used extensively.

According to the plea agreement, the implants were obtained from Mexico.

The guilty pleas will be reported to the Medical Board of California for evaluation.

As part of the plea agreement, Corbin said he would perform for free six cleft palate surgeries on underprivileged children in the United States and abroad.

Corbin said he regularly performs charitable surgeries in Africa, Asia, South America and Mexico.