Vertical scar versus the inverted-T scar reduction mammaplasty: A 10-year follow-up

A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate whether the initial outcome of two types of reduction mammaplasty techniques (vertical scar reduction mammaplasty vs. the inverted-T scar reduction mammaplasty) remains stable in the long term: Sixty-nine patients who had undergone breast reduction surgery in the period 1997-2000 at the Department of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery at the Medical Center of Leeuwarden were willing and able to participate in this study. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the degree of patient satisfaction. For subjective evaluation, the Strasser Grading System on photographs at the 3 months after surgery and after long-term follow-up (10 years) was used. The median general appreciation mark for the entire surgical procedure given by patients was 8 (1-10) on a scale from 1 to 10. Forty-six of the 69 patients could be scored according to Strasser: at 3 months in 17 patients (37%) the result was 'good', in 21 patients (46%) 'mediocre' and in eight patients (17%) 'poor'. After 10 years, in 37 of the patients (80%) the result was 'good', in six patients (13%) 'mediocre' and in three patients (7%) 'poor'. At 3 months, there was a higher incidence of bottoming out in the vertical scar group (one on two patients) as compared to the inverted-T scar group (one on 10 patients); however, at the 10-years follow-up bottoming out was 50% in the inverted-T scar group and 20% in the vertical scar group. Despite bottoming out, in both the vertical scar reduction mammaplasty technique and the inverted-T scar reduction mammaplasty technique, high patient satisfaction rates are achieved that remains for years.     

Early experience with Lejour vertical scar reduction mammaplasty technique

The study contains 163 patients who underwent a reduction mammaplasty at the Karolinska Hospital during 1991–1992. Seventy patients were operated on using the Lejour short scar technique (superovertical pedicle) and 93 using the Strömbeck method (medial pedicle). The aim of this study was to compare the results of these two different methods with regard to scar formation, position and sensation in the nipple areola complex, postoperative complications, healing conditions, shape and volume symmetry of the breasts and patient satisfaction. An objective method [20] was used for assessment of postoperative breast asymmetry. Advantages and disadvantages of both methods are presented. The incidence of early complications was low in both groups, compared with the data presented in the literature, but Strömbeck's method was found to be superior in some respects because of fewer early postoperative complications, shorter healing period and better breast symmetry postoperatively.     

Free nipple reduction mammaplasty with a horizontal scar in high-risk patients

Women with extremely large and ptotic breasts have many complaints and difficulties during daily life. Conventional reduction mammaplasty techniques are not convenient because the presence of excess tissue beneath and over a long pedicle may cause nipple-areola complex necrosis. These patients mostly have systemic health problems so they benefit from a shorter operative procedure. The amputation method is an option providing rapid surgical operation time and little blood loss but it may lead to a flat, unaesthetic breast with poor projection. In this paper we present an alternative amputation with the use of a backfolded dermoglandular flap and free nipple graft. The inferior pole is amputated. The deepithelialized breast tissue is left on the superior pedicle extending below the 7-cm vertical limb mark. This deepithelialized tissue is tucked to give more central mound projection. The aesthetic outcomes, such as well-rounded breasts with good projection and a hidden scar at the submammary sulcus, have led us to perform this technique, which was first described by the Mansteins in 1997.     

上方宽蒂垂直瘢痕乳房缩小术在重度乳房增生下垂中的应用

目的 探讨乳房上方宽蒂垂直瘢痕的重度乳房增生缩小术较传统的倒"T"形巨乳缩小术的优势.方法 采用Lejour"穹窿顶"式的手术设计,切除乳房下方的皮肤、腺体组织,将乳头、乳晕上方的真皮及腺体组织的宽蒂抬高至正常位置后进行乳房塑形.自2006年3月至2009年11月,对37例重度乳房增生患者行巨乳缩小术.结果 术后14例患者的14侧乳房切口部分裂开,其中3侧乳房经清创缝合后愈合,其余的乳房经换药后愈合;随访37例患者2周至26个月,未发生乳头、乳晕坏死,乳房形态良好,患者满意率较高.结论 乳房上方宽蒂垂直瘢痕的巨乳缩小术具有降低乳头、乳晕坏死的危险,切口瘢痕细小,重缩的乳房外形良好等优点,是一种治疗重度乳房增生的良好、有效的手术方法.     

无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法乳房缩小整形术

目的:介绍一种适用于中、重度乳房肥大的矫正术,探索乳房缩小手术的最佳术式。方法:回顾总结2001年以来对21例中、重度乳房肥大患者采用无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法行乳房缩小整形术的情况,分析其效果。结果:21例患者术后双乳对称,下垂状况纠正,体积缩小,乳头乳晕感觉良好,术后瘢痕隐蔽。2例合并副乳,1例合并乳头内陷的患者同时手术切除矫正。2例乳晕表皮营养不良、部分坏死,经换药愈合。结论:无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法乳房缩小整形术是治疗中、重度乳房肥大症的良好选择。     

Central pedicle reduction mammaplasty with a vertical scar: a technical modification

Background: This study introduces a central pedicle reduction mammaplasty with a vertical scar technique.

Objectives: This study is aimed to create a more conical breast shape and long-lasting better projection by modifying reduction mammaplasty by central pedicle flap.

Method: Preoperative markings were made including the meridian line of breast and the new location of the nipple-areola complex (NAC). The new location of the inframammary fold was marked ～2?～?4?cm above the original inframammary fold. An incision was made around the areola, the area between the resection margins and NAC was excised en bloc. The breast parenchyma was excised circumferentially, so that a cone shaped central mound was formed. An inferior and inferolateral glandular resection was performed to reduce the area of the breast base by elevating the position of the inframammary fold. After completion of dissection, the central pedicle surmounted by the NAC was transposed to its new location.

Result: Fifty-six patients were operated with our modified central pedicle technique. The mean amount of resection was 475?g (range?=?130–1080?g). The mean length of follow-up was 18?months (range?=?12–53?months). The mean postoperative satisfaction score was 4.23 (SD?=?0.81). The breast parenchymal ratio significantly increased from 1.2 preoperatively to 3.9 postoperatively.

Conclusion: The modified central pedicle reduction mammaplasty with a vertical scar technique is a versatile breast reduction technique for all shapes and tissue conditions, by providing an attractive conical shape of the breast with minimum scar burden and maximum preservation of breast function.     

Pyoderma gangrenosum after reduction mammaplasty in an otherwise healthy patient

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare postoperative complication of plastic surgery of the breast. Initial signs and symptoms resemble those of infection, and antimicrobial therapy is usually initiated and fails before considering PG as a diagnosis. Therapy consists of immune modulators, and use of corticosteroids is frequent, as is local wound care. Sufficiently small wounds are allowed to heal secondarily, but larger wounds require coverage with either skin grafts or flaps. Long-term (1 year or more) postoperative surveillance is necessary because late failure of the graft or flap can occur.     

垂直切口乳房缩小术

目的　探讨应用垂直切口巨乳缩小术以减少术后瘢痕的方法与体会。方法　采用Lejour手术设计 ,切除乳房下方的皮肤、腺体 ,乳头乳晕以上方真皮腺体组织蒂转移提高到正常位置 ,进行乳房塑形 ,术后仅留有垂直瘢痕。结果　采用垂直切口巨乳缩小术治疗 2 4例 ,手术效果满意。 1例术后 6个月切口下端局部修整残留的“猫耳朵”。 1例单侧乳头乳晕完全坏死。结论　垂直切口巨乳缩小术疗效良好 ,术后瘢痕细小 ,乳房形态良好。     

Volume reduction mammaplasty

I present an operation for breast reduction in which a prosthesis-shaped mass of breast tissue is removed through a transverse inframammary incision. No skin is removed. With time the breast tissue and skin shrink. No skin markings are required. There is very little interference with blood or nerve supply to the skin, areola, and nipple. The breast appears normal postoperatively.     

Circumvertical reduction mammaplasty

The main indication of the circumvertical technique is the removal of 400-1000 mg of breast tissue. It is also an intermediate method and an alternative between the periareolar and the vertical techniques. The advantages of the circumvertical technique is that it is simple and fast to accomplish, only the inferior half of the gland is operated, there is no transection of the lactiferous ducts, at the end of the surgery there is an harmonious redistribution of the pleats, the vertical scar never crosses the submammary fold, and at the end of the surgery an acceptable result is almost always observed. The posterior skin retraction will improve this initial result even more. The Marcaine infiltration allows some hours of postoperative pain relief. In brief, this technique is ideal for young women because it neither distorts the remnant anatomy nor alters the future lactation, being a good alternative to moderate and large hypertrophies.     

改良Biesenberger乳房缩小整形术

乳房缩小整形术常用方法很多，效果均较为满意，但困扰着人们的是常留有较为明显的手术瘢痕。为了探求一种瘢痕隐蔽、塑形良好的手术方法，我们对古老的Ｂｉｅｓｅｎｂｅｒｇｅｒ乳房缩小整形术式加以改进：在保留乳房内侧双重血供的情况下，皮下广泛游离，直视下进行乳腺塑形，操作便捷；乳腺组织外上象限切除，切除了肿瘤好发部位，切除量达１／４～１／３，切除量大；游离乳腺下瓣旋转上移塑形，双“Ｓ”形吻合，塑形灵活；乳腺组织悬吊固定在第二、三肋骨骨膜上，固定确切；采用双乳晕切口入路，乳晕周围皮肤裙褶样缝合，经一段时间机体的调节恢复，皱褶逐渐消失，瘢痕不显。随访表明，该法既克服了原法因皮肤潜行分离过广、乳腺游离过大，易发生乳头、乳晕及皮肤坏死的弊端，又展示了切口隐蔽、瘢痕不显的优点。     

改良双环法乳房缩小术

目的探索一种简单可靠的乳房缩小成形手术。方法用双环形切口，保留乳头乳晕深动脉和乳房下限的组织，对肥大的乳房进行缩小和重新塑形。结果23例惠者的乳头乳晕均无坏死，感觉良好，乳房形态自然。结论本手术设计简单，操作容易，术后瘢痕隐蔽，效果稳定，是修复各种肥大或下垂乳房的较好方法。     

改良双环法乳房缩小术

目的探索一种简单可靠的乳房缩小成形手术.方法用双环形切口,保留乳头乳晕深动脉和乳房下限的组织,对肥大的乳房进行缩小和重新塑形.结果 23例患者的乳头乳晕均无坏死,感觉良好,乳房形态自然.结论本手术设计简单,操作容易,术后瘢痕隐蔽,效果稳定,是修复各种肥大或下垂乳房的较好方法.     

Mckissock法与无垂直瘢痕下蒂瓣法行重度乳房肥大矫正的综合比较

目的：探讨应用Mckissock法及无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法进行乳房缩小整形术的适应证、手术效果及优缺点进行对比分析。方法：2010年6月至2011年7月,我们采用Mckissock法与无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法行乳房缩小整形术15例,术后患者就症状改善,外形改善,瘢痕,乳头敏感性及总体满意度进行问卷调查。结果：①15例患者术后乳房形态及乳头乳晕均较对称且外观良好;②无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法较Mckissock法术后并发症发生率少,瘢痕隐蔽;③两种方法术后发生乳头乳晕血运障碍及感觉障碍无明显差异;④Mckissock法较无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法切除乳腺的量稍多,术后乳房立体感良好;⑤无垂直瘢痕的下蒂瓣法较Mckissock法总体满意度高。结论：无垂直瘢痕的下蒂法及Mckissock法均适用于治疗中、重度乳房肥大症尤其对于重度乳房肥大症两种方法对乳房形态的重塑较好,总体来讲无垂直瘢痕的下蒂法术后瘢痕小且隐蔽而Mckissock法切除乳腺组织量多,两种方法各有利弊具体临床应用需要个体化分析。     

Analysis of adolescent patient satisfaction and well-being following reduction mammaplasty using the BREAST-Q survey

Background: While functional breast reduction surgery has been shown to lead to increased quality of life in adult patients, the effects of this operation has not been investigated as thoroughly in adolescent patients. This study uses the BREAST-Q, a validated, surgery-specific questionnaire, to measure changes in adolescent patient well-being and satisfaction following reduction mammaplasty.Methods: All patients presenting for breast reduction consultation between February and December 2016 were asked to complete the BREAST-Q. Post-operative surveys were completed at three-month follow up. A matched control cohort was established using patients who completed a pre-operative survey and were deemed appropriate surgical candidates, but then were denied by insurance and did not undergo surgery.Results: Of the 28 adolescent patients who presented for breast reduction consultation, 15 met inclusion criteria; 11 patients underwent reduction mammaplasty, and 4 patients were included in the control cohort. When these groups were compared, statistically significant improvements were observed in all BREAST-Q categories except for sexual well-being. Overall patient satisfaction correlated most highly to satisfaction with information.Conclusions: This study examines quality of life outcomes in adolescent breast reduction patients using the BREAST-Q survey. Our findings indicate that adolescent patients have an improved quality of life following breast reduction, but that their satisfaction stems from different sources from those of adult patients. Further characterization of outcomes specific to young patients with surgically managed symptomatic macromastia will increase the practice of tailored, evidence-based medicine for adolescent patients.Level of Evidence: Treatment Study, Level III     

A personal technique: mammaplasty with J scar

Mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty techniques have evolved with time, pursuing the aim of an effective and reliable technique that produces a well-shaped breast and reduces the amount of scarring. The authors believe that the L mammaplasty achieves the best results in terms of a short scar and a good, stable shape. They present their technique of a modified L mammaplasty with a resulting scar in the shape of a J, which implies a central breast resection with the nipple-areola complex transposed on a superior pedicle. The correct execution of the preoperative markings and the shaping of the gland tissue are mandatory to obtaining the desired result. The technique has been used during the past 7 years on 326 patients, providing satisfactory results with short scars and virtually no complications.     

Preoperative breast marking in reduction mammaplasty

A simple method of preoperative marking for reduction mammaplasty is described. This method may be used in macromastias when the technique chosen implies a postoperative scar with the shape of an inverted T. The marking sequence follows standard steps, but the drawing is always different because it is a consequence of the shape of the breast. This marking method reduces the chance of making mistakes due to excessive personal evaluations or to the use of standard drawing patterns that may be not suitable for all breast shapes.