Comparison of nipple and areolar sensation after breast reduction by free nipple graft and inferior pedicle techniques.

Breast reduction with free nipple-areolar transplantation has traditionally been used for patients with gigantomastia. It is a widely held belief that there is little or no recovery of sensation in the nipple-areolar complex after this procedure. We set up a retrospective study to compare nipple-areolar sensation after free nipple grafting with that after breast reduction by the more commonly performed inferior pedicle technique. We reviewed 38 patients (17 free nipple grafts and 21 inferior pedicles) at least 1 year after breast reduction and measured the nipple and areolar pressure sensibility in each breast with Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. We found some degree of recovery of sensation in all patients, with areolar sensation being similar in the two groups but nipple sensation being superior in the inferior pedicle group. In addition, we assessed the erectile function of the nipples in each group.     

Viability and sensation of the nipple-areolar complex after reduction mammaplasty

Reduction mammaplasty with nipple-areolar transposition on a medial pedicle was designed as an alternative to amputation and free nipple graft for women with severe mammary hypertrophy. The purpose of this study was to review the viability and sensory outcome of the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) in 72 women (133 breasts) after medial pedicle and inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty between 1996 and 2000. The medial pedicle was used for 41 women (79 breasts) with moderate to severe mammary hypertrophy. An inferior pedicle was used for 31 women (54 breasts) with mild to moderate mammary hypertrophy. Mean follow-up for all patients was 25 months. Total sensation of the NAC was obtained in 68 of 79 breasts (86%) after medial pedicle reduction mammaplasty and in 50 of 54 breasts (92%) after inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty. Total viability of the NAC occurred in 74 of 79 breasts (94%) after medial pedicle reduction mammaplasty and in 53 of 54 breasts (98%) after inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty. Quantitative sensory testing of the NAC using the pressure-specified sensory device demonstrated that static and moving sensory thresholds of the NAC are lowest in the inferior pedicle group followed by the control group and the medial pedicle group. It can be concluded from this study that the medial and inferior pedicle techniques are capable of supporting vascularity and innervation to the NAC. The medial pedicle technique for severe mammary hypertrophy is a good alternative to free nipple grafting. The amount of breast tissue removed does not correlate with sensory outcome for both inferior and medial pedicle techniques. The pressure-specified sensory device is an excellent means of assessing sensory outcome.     

The use of a combined technique in reduction mammaplasty (inferior pyramidal and superior glandular techniques)

The management of mammary hypertrophy is a developing process. The common surgical options for reduction mammaplasty include amputation with free nipple graft as well as the bipedicled, inferior pedicle and vertical pedicle techniques. All techniques are used widely. Disadvantages of these procedures include nipple areola necrosis, insensitivity, hypopigmentation, and poor breast projection. Even with the standard modifications of the original techniques, the resultant breast and nipple may be wide and flat. The purpose of this study was to assess whether combined inferior pyramidal pedicle and superior glandular pedicle reduction mammaplasty can optimize nipple and breast projection. Attention will focus on the viability and sensation of the nipple areola complex. Nine patients with mammary hypertrophy were studied. The change in nipple position ranged from 7 to 13 cm. The amount of tissue removed from each breast ranged from 500 to 1150 g. Nipple/areola sensation was retained in all cases with the exception of one breast. Nipple/areola necrosis or hypopigmentation were not observed. Optimal central breast projection was maintained in all patients, and postoperative evaluation was carried out at 12 and 22 months. The patient satisfaction was very high.     

Secondary reduction mammaplasty: does initial pedicle design matter?

Reduction mammaplasty is one of the most common plastic surgical procedures performed in the United States. Occasionally patients will require a second reduction to address persistent or recurrent symptomatic macromastia. When the vascular pedicle of a primary breast reduction is unknown, there is uncertainty regarding how best to proceed with a secondary reduction. When the pedicle is known, we include at least the primary pedicle in our operative plan. When unknown, we performed a modified central mound (MCM) reduction technique. The MCM reduction respects the blood supply to the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) by preserving any remaining vascularity that is present within the central mound tissue while also maintaining superior and inferior vascular pedicles. We avoid using a free nipple graft.Thirty patients (60 breasts) underwent repeat breast reductions between 2009 and 2016. Patients were placed into two groups whether their primary vascular pedicle was known or unknown, and then further grouped based on the type of reduction they received. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between patients that underwent an MCM reduction versus those that underwent reduction with other techniques. Most patients maintained breast sensation and none required a free nipple graft.Patients can be offered repeat reduction mammaplasty with the possibility of nipple sensation preservation and a normal-appearing NAC regardless if the primary vascular pedicle is known. If the primary pedicle is unknown, the MCM technique is an excellent option.     

A prospective quantitative comparison of breast sensation after superior and inferior pedicle mammaplasty.

Reduction mammaplasty techniques using the inferior pedicle have been recommended to preserve the nipple and areolar sensation after surgery. The vertical scar mammaplasty with a superior pedicle has often been criticised because of the potential for damage to the sensory supply of the nipple-areola complex. The aim of this study was to assess the breast sensation in two prospective series of patients operated upon using superior pedicle and inferior pedicle mammaplasties. Between November 1996 and February 1997, 20 consecutive patients (39 breasts) underwent breast reduction using the inferior pedicle technique with inverted T scar (Robbin's technique). This series of patients was matched with another series of 18 patients (36 breasts) who had breast reduction using a vertical scar mammaplasty with superior pedicle (Lejour's technique) in another centre. Cutaneous pressure thresholds were recorded using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. The values were obtained on the quadrants of the skin of the breast, the areola and the nipple. The sensitivity test was performed preoperatively, then at 3 and 6 months postoperatively. Patients' characteristics (age, weight, breast ptosis, breast mass resected and risk factors) were statistically similar between the two groups. The preoperative values of pressure sensation on the different areas tested were statistically similar between the two groups. The sensitivity decreased on almost all the tested areas of the breast at 3 months postoperatively. No patient had an insensitive area on the breast at 6 months after surgery. Some areas of the breast showed a significant difference in pressure sensitivity after one technique compared to the other: better sensation on the skin of the superior and lateral quadrants after the superior pedicle technique at 3 months (P< 0.001), poorer areolar sensation on the inferior quadrant after the superior pedicle technique at 3 and 6 months (P< 0.05) and on the superior quadrant after the inferior pedicle technique at 3 months only (P< 0.05). However, the mean value of the areolar quadrants was statistically similar after both techniques. The nipple sensation was significantly decreased in both groups at 3 months but remained comparable between the two groups. Breast innervation was damaged by breast reduction using both the inferior and the superior pedicle techniques. The breast skin had better sensation after the superior pedicle technique while the areola had slightly better sensation after the inferior pedicle technique. At 6 months, the mean value of nipple-areola complex pressure sensation was comparable in the two series of patients.     

Breast reduction with use of the free nipple graft technique

In properly selected patients, the results of free nipple graft breast reduction may be equal or superior to a pedicle technique. A free nipple graft is clearly indicated for gigantomastia, but it is also useful in severe macromastia, when a large, bulky pedicle may impede adequate reduction and optimal contour, and in patients with fatty breasts and inverted nipples. Disadvantages include the loss of ability to breast-feed, loss of nipple sensation, and possible hypopigmentation in the nipple-areola. The author discusses patient selection and describes execution of this technique. (Aesthetic Surg J 2001;21:261-271.)     

Avoiding free nipple grafting with the inferior pedicle technique

In cases of severe macromastia, the free nipple graft technique has been the traditional alternative to pedicle transposition. Distress over nipple survival in large reduction mammaplasty and long pedicle transposition is largely responsible for this.A retrospective investigation of the records of 142 reduction mammaplasty patients was carried out to determine whether nipple survival or overall complication rates were significantly different in patients undergoing larger (>1500 g per side) as compared with smaller reductions (< 1500 g per side). The 2 patient groups were compared with respect to mild or severe complications. Data were analyzed using Fisher exact test and 2-sample t tests. A P value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. No patient in either group had total nipple loss. There were no statistically significant differences in major or minor complications between the 2 groups.In our experience, the inferior pedicle, Wise pattern reduction is a reliable and predictable method of reduction, appropriate for all breast sizes and pedicle lengths.     

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。     

Convergent nipple-areolar complexes corrected by inferior curved pedicle technique

We report a case of mammaplasty followed by a marked convergence of the nipple-areolar complex and describe the surgical repair by means of an inferior dermal-fat curved flap. The curve of the inferior pedicle permits one to raise the nipple to its normal position with ease and exceptional viability, even if a breast reduction procedure is associated.     

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。     

Modified free nipple graft reduction mammaplasty to increase breast projection with superior and inferior dermoglandular flaps

Classic free nipple graft reduction mammaplasty often yields flat, boxy breasts with poor projection. The authors modified this technique using superior and inferior pyramidal dermoglandular flaps to increase the fullness and projection of the breast. Six patients (12 breasts) with gigantomastia underwent breast reduction by this method. The results were aesthetically pleasing, with conically shaped breasts and good projection. The technique is easy to perform and it is possible to switch from pedicled nipple-areolar transposition to this method intraoperatively in patients in whom perfusion of the nipple is questionable.     

Importance of pedicle length in inferior pedicle technique and long-term outcome of areola-to-fold distance

Various techniques are being used to perform reduction mammaplasty. One of the most widely used techniques is the inferior pedicle technique. To our knowledge, there are not many studies on long-term changes in areola-to-fold distance, distribution of pedicle length, and its importance. Therefore, in this study, breast volume, suprasternal notch-to-nipple distance, and nipple-to-inframammary fold distance were analyzed and the movement range of the nipple-areola complex was determined. In addition, the degree of benefit derived from the technique and the degree of long-term ptosis were investigated. The desired transposition of the nipple can be achieved by the inferior pedicle technique. The most serious complication of reduction mammaplasty is impairment of the blood supply to the nipple. However, the inferior pedicle technique has a slight possibility of causing the above complications. The most important criterion in deciding whether to perform free nipple technique or inferior pedicle technique is the pedicle length. This is a detailed study on the pedicle length and its statistical analysis.     

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.     

Safety and efficacy of contra-lateral breast reduction for women with mammary hypertrophy undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer

Women with mammary hypertrophy undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer suffer disability because of disproportionate asymmetry. The case notes of all women with mammary hypertrophy undergoing mastectomy and immediate contra-lateral reduction mammaplasty for primary breast cancer from February 2001 to December 2008 were reviewed. Thirty-three women were identified of whom twenty-seven underwent inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty and six inferior dermoglandular pedicle reduction with free nipple graft. The duration of surgery ranged from 75 to 146 (median 110) minutes. Between 475 and 2350 (median 1090) grams of breast tissue was excised from the contra-lateral breast. No immediate or delayed complications were observed and there were no delays in commencing adjuvant therapy. Immediate contra-lateral breast reduction in women with mammary hypertrophy undergoing mastectomy for breast cancer is safe and effective means of reducing the physical, psychological and cosmetic problems associated with unilateral mammary hypertrophy following mastectomy.     

Breast sensation after superior pedicle versus inferior pedicle mammaplasty: anatomical and histological evaluation.

Despite contradictory information about the course and distribution of the nerves supplying the breast, surgical techniques using an inferior pedicle have been recommended over those using a superior pedicle for preserving the nipple-areolar sensation after surgery. This anatomical study was designed to quantify the nerve branches preserved in inferior and superior pedicles after reduction mammaplasty performed on cadavers. Reduction mammaplasty was done on four fresh cadavers (within 48h of death) using a superior pedicle on the right and an inferior pedicle on the left in a standard way. The pedicle was cut at its base and then fixed in formalin. The base was divided in biopsy specimens and embedded in paraffin. The nerves were quantified and located in each pedicle with haematoxylin-eosin stain and light-microscopic evaluation. Histological evaluation of the pedicles showed the presence of a variable number of nerves (between one and seven) within two superior pedicles and three inferior pedicles. The nerves were located in fibrous tissue and accompanied by vessels in most cases. The nerves were always found superficially and were most likely to be located in the central part of the pedicle. Our results showed that including the nerves within the pedicle is technically uncertain regardless of the mammaplasty technique used. The final recovery of sensation in the breast after mammaplasty seems to result from the regeneration of severed cutaneous nerve branches or the remaining cutaneous innervation rather than the preserved adjacent cutaneous branches.     

Reduction mammaplasty with the modified round block technique in Chinese patients and its anatomy study

Background: Although reduction mammaplasty is one of the most common procedures in plastic surgery, it is associated with some serious complications, especially in cases of severe hypertrophy or advanced ptosis, including necrosis of the nipple and areola, absence of normal sensation of the nipple-areolar complex, and loss of lactational function for future nursing. A thorough understanding of the breast anatomy is vital for successful reduction mammaplasty. This article describes the blood supply and innervation of the breasts, and introduces a modified round block technique for reduction mammaplasty based on this anatomy.

Methods: Six adult female cadavers were used to assess the vasculature of the anterior thorax and the nerve distribution of the breasts according to vascular perfusion and autopsy. Based on this anatomical study, a modified round block technique was designed for reduction mammaplasty, which was performed in 40 Chinese patients with breast hypertrophy.

Results: Würinger’s horizontal septum was observed in all six cadavers. In the superficial layer, the main sources of blood are the second and third intercostal perforating branches of the internal thoracic artery, which run along the medial ligaments, and the branches of the lateral thoracic artery, which run along the lateral ligaments. In the deep layer, the main sources of blood are the fourth and fifth intercostal artery perforators, which run along Würinger’s horizontal septum. Innervation of the nipple-areolar complex is achieved mainly by the lateral branches of the fourth intercostal nerve, which also run along Würinger’s horizontal septum toward the nipple-areolar complex. The 40 patients with breast hypertrophy underwent successful reduction mammaplasty using our modified round block technique, except for one case, which developed necrosis of the nipple-areolar complex.

Conclusions: Reduction mammaplasty using our modified round block technique can maximally preserve the blood supply to the remaining gland as well as the innervation to the nipple-areolar complex, while maintaining the advantages of the traditional technique, such as an invisible scar and good projection.     

A Superior Vertical Dermal Pedicle for the Nipple–Areola: An Alternative for Severe Breast Hypertrophy and Ptosis

Background  

Nipple–areola nourishment and sensation have been the main concern in reduction mammaplasty for severe breast hypertrophy and ptosis. Free grafting for the nipple–areola can cause flatness and loss of sensation. These complications can be improved by pedicle techniques for the nipple–areola, no matter the pedicle orientation. The aesthetic outcomes and complications are similar for the inferior and superior pedicle techniques. The pedicle length has been crucial to nipple–areola viability and sensation.     

A retrospective quantitative assessment of breast sensation after lateral pedicle mammaplasty.

Preservation of sensitivity is one of the important objectives in reduction mammaplasty. The lateral or medial pedicle reduction mammaplasty technique aims to maintain superficial innervation of the breast. These superficial nerves are smaller and more variable compared with deep and larger nerve structures, which are excised during this procedure. An assessment of recovery of tactile sensitivity after lateral pedicle mammaplasty was performed retrospectively. One hundred and one women, operated on between the year 1985 and 2000, with a lateral pedicle mammaplasty, were reviewed. Using a standardised questionnaire, women reported on subjective changes in sensation after surgery, including time of recovery and the influence which surgery had on sensual function. Fifty-nine of these women were tested 3-7 years after surgery. Touch sensitivity was measured using a set of 20 Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. Erectile function was also tested. The mean pressure threshold for the areola region was 19.12 g/mm(2) and for the nipple 16.75 g/mm(2), which is better that in studies on inferior pedicle mammaplasty. In previous studies patients were tested earlier, which may explain this difference.No correlation was found between sensitivity and resected tissue (for the areola p=0.88 and for the nipple p=0.82) or between sensitivity and age of patients (for the areola p=0.73 and for the nipple p=0.80). There were individual differences in the results. It is speculated that variability in anatomy of superficial nerves might explain these differences. Nearly all patients tested regained their erectile function. The majority of patients did not notice any change in their erogenous function. Twelve (12%) reported a post-surgical improvement of sensation. Nipples with partial loss of sensation persisted in 2% of the patients.     

伴有乳房良性病变的巨乳缩小术27例

目的 探讨乳房肥大下垂同时伴有良性病变的巨乳缩小术的方法。方法：1980年11月～2001年12月，共收治乳房肥大下垂伴乳腺良性病变的患者27例52侧，根据乳腺病变的性质、部位、大小以及乳房肥大下垂的程度，选择下述不同的术式，行下方垂直蒂瓣法9例(17侧)，垂直双蒂瓣法16例(3l侧)，双环形切口乳房缩小术2例(4侧)。结果 术后外观评价良25例49侧占94．2％，差2例3侧占5．8％。术后乳房疼痛改善率为95．8％，肩、背痛，睡眠明显改善为100％，乳房下皱襞湿疹、皮炎未再发生为100％，27例患者术后着装均满意。结论 乳房缩小整形手术是治疗乳房肥大下垂，同时伴有乳腺良性病变的首选治疗方法。