A New Personal Surgical Procedure for Breast Reduction and Lifting

A series of 40 patients operated from 1995 through 1997 is reviewed. The women ranged in age from 18 to 40 and were seen in either a university- or a private-hospital setting. Thirty-eight of the patients underwent reduction mammaplasty, which was performed using an inferior pedicle technique with a straight-line incision; two patients underwent mastopexy only. The reduction procedure depends on the formation of a cap from medial, lateral, and superior flaps. Following resection of breast tissue the cap is joined to a cone—the nipple–areola complex carried on a subcutaneous inferior pedicle. The cone is fixed to the chest wall with simple vertical stitches, minimizing the recurrence of ptosis. This technique is safe and versatile, avoids a submammary scar, and offers an aesthetic and long-lasting result.     

Vertical scar reduction mammaplasty as a standard procedure – experiences in the introduction and validation of a modified reduction technique

Based on experiences with a modified vertical scar reduction mammaplasty technique over a 5-year-period, this article discusses the results obtained and complications encountered with this technique. From 1991 to 1995, 628 reduction procedures were performed using a single vertical scar technique in 228 patients. The percentage of procedures with the new technique increased from 17.4% in 1991 to 89% in 1995. There was an increase in the mean reduction weight from 528 to 1313 g (mean 1028 g, 260–3300 g). Sixty-eight percent of patients (n=154) underwent follow-up examinations at 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The complication rate including perioperative and post-discharge problems was 40.2%. Complications occurring as a result of the procedure included an excessively long vertical scar (13%), skin redundancy in the submammary fold (15%) and wound dehiscences (10%). Minor corrective surgery was carried out in 38 patients. The modified vertical scar reduction mammaplasty technique may be considered a safe standard procedure for almost all breast sizes. Received: 23 June 1997 / Accepted: 2 February 1998     

改良双环法乳房悬吊术

目的 介绍改良双环法行乳房悬吊术的方法和经验。方法 采用传统的双环法乳房悬吊术切口，在皮肤与乳腺的腺体表面之间行广泛剥离后。在乳腺的下半象限正中将腺体垂直切开，将形成的两部分乳腺复合组织瓣向内上及外上方向旋转后互相交叉重叠缝合固定成形。并将乳晕内外环的真皮行荷包缝合。术后将乳房塑形包扎。结果 采用本方法矫治轻、中度乳房下垂者共8例16侧。术后乳房外形美观持久，乳头、乳晕感觉良好，效果满意。结论 本手术方法简便易行．组织损伤小．瘢痕不明显．是矫治轻、中度乳房下垂的一种比较理想的方法。     

Vertical Scar with the Bipedicle Technique: A Modified Procedure for Breast Reduction and Mastopexy

Background Reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy are commonly performed aesthetic procedures. One such procedure, the vertical scar technique, has gained popularity in recent years, and various types of pedicles have been designed and associated with it. The vertical scar with the bipedicle technique is one such combination that ensures nipple safety and minimizes scarring, with a good aesthetic result. Method With the vertical scar marked on the outside and the bipedicle flap marked on the inside, the procedure was performed for 23 patients. Results Between 2004 and 2006, 17 reduction mammoplasties and 6 mastopexies were performed. The average tissue resection was 360 g, and the average blood loss was 70 g. The average preoperative nipple–areolar complex was 28 cm (range, 23–41 cm). Good results were achieved for the majority of the patients, with no nipple loss or loss of sensation. Conclusion The vertical scar bipedicle technique, a combination that meets the requirement of minimum scarring and a robust blood supply to the nipple–areolar complex, is a suitable option for selected reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy.     

腺体外侧蒂皮肤双环切口乳房塑形悬吊术

目的探讨腺体外侧蒂皮肤双环切口乳房塑形悬吊术,在矫正乳房下垂中的应用。方法自2003年以来,应用外侧蒂双环切口乳房塑形悬吊术,矫正乳房下垂患者30例,“楔”型切除乳房下极部分腺体组织,腺体瓣相对旋转缝合固定于胸肌筋膜,保留部分腺体于内上方皮瓣,乳房上极悬吊至第2、3肋软骨膜。结果术后随访患者1~3个月,均获得满意效果。结论外侧蒂双环切口乳房塑形悬吊术,可以有效地塑形悬吊乳房,术后切口隐蔽,乳房上极饱满,是矫正乳房下垂的一种理想选择。     

单纯抽吸法巨乳缩小术

目的以往巨乳缩小术以倒“T”形手术为代表，术后遗留明显的瘢痕，为了减少手术瘢痕，应用抽吸法进行巨乳缩小术。方法 选择合适的患者，采用肿胀麻醉，经乳房下皱襞5mm小切口，用细管抽吸整个乳房和皮下脂肪组织，进行乳房缩小。结果 采用抽吸法巨乳缩小术治疗11例，手术效果满意，乳房形态良好，质地有所改善。1例发生血清肿，经多次穿利抽吸治愈。结论 抽吸法巨乳缩小术，对乳房下垂不明显以脂肪增生为主的中、轻度巨乳患者，是一种操作简便、效果良好的手术方法，特别适用于未婚女性，手术后瘢痕不明显，值得推广应用。     

Periareolar reduction mammaplasty utilizing the inferior dermal pedicle

The critical points which should not be overlooked when performing reduction mammaplasty are to minimize scar on the breast and to ensure a sufficient blood supply for the viability of the nipple–areolar complex. Periareolar reduction mammaplasty has been widely used because it left only one scar around the areola. However, with the typical periareolar reduction mammaplasty technique, it is difficult to remove a large amount of breast tissue and mobilize the remaining breast tissue. It may result in necrosis of the nipple–areolar complex in some cases. To overcome these limitations we combined the periareolar incision with the inferior dermal pedicle, which has a relatively good blood supply. This new technique was employed in 22 consecutive women (44 breasts) with hypertrophy and a varying degree of ptosis. Infiltration of a tumescent solution and liposuction were performed in all cases. After periareolar incision, dissection of the skin was performed, and the breast was elevated from the fascia of the pectoralis major muscle, leaving the inferior dermal pyramidal pedicle. An adequate amount of tissue was resected in the superior, medial, and lateral areas. After mastopexy, closure was done with a purse-string suture. The amount of tissue resected ranged from 180 to 1510 g per breast, and the mean was 466.1 g. The mean length of elevation of the nipple was 10.6 cm along the meridian of the breast. There were a few complications which needed revision operation: hematoma collection in one breast (2.3%), wound dehiscence in one breast (2.3%), and fat necrosis in one breast (2.3%). There was no necrosis of the nipple–areolar complex. With this new technique of periareolar reduction mammaplasty utilizing the inferior dermal pedicle, we were able to minimize the scar, preserve the nipple–areolar complex, and improve the motility of the breast tissue. But we also observed a flat or square appearance in the case of a large amount of resection in the patients with poor skin elasticity. This technique is safe and versatile and produces aesthetically acceptable results in selected patients.     

Reduction Mammaplasty and Mastopexy Using the Vertical Scar and Thoracic Wall Flap Technique

Breast surgery has been greatly modified in the past few years as surgeons sought to shorten scars and improve and maintain of breast shape in the late postoperative period. Working with both the periareolar technique and vertical scar technique, it is possible to reduce scar length, avoiding the area below the inframammary crease by compensating skin excess around the areola. From January 2001 to July 2002, 53 patients underwent reduction mammaplasty and/or mastopexy using the vertical scar technique associated to a thoracic-based flap kept under a bipedicled flap of the pectoralis major muscle. The goal of this combination is to achieve a good aesthetic result: a reduced scar, minimal breast descent, and good upper pole fullness.     

Tissue expansion after inverted-T mammaplasty: can it be performed successfully?

Breast cancer patients will occasionally need to undergo mastectomy after previous reduction mammaplasty or mastopexy. The presence of the "inverted-T" scar presents a unique reconstructive dilemma: Do mastectomy flaps that are traversed by surgical scars still allow for adequate tissue expansion and a good aesthetic result? The objective of this study was to evaluate the authors' experience with tissue expansion/implant reconstruction in patients with an inverted-T scar. All patients who underwent tissue expansion and implant reconstruction after inverted-T mammaplasty were reviewed retrospectively to determine aesthetic results, patient satisfaction, and complication rates associated with this reconstructive technique. During a 6-year period (1995-2001), 11 patients (12 breasts) underwent breast reconstruction with tissue expansion and implant placement after either reduction mammaplasty (N = 8) or mastopexy (N = 4). All patients reached target expansion volumes. After successful tissue expansion, exchange to either saline (N = 7) or silicone (N = 5) implants was performed. The mean follow-up period after implant exchange was 18.5 months (range, 2-72 months). Complications were minimal and included partial flap necrosis (N = 1). Aesthetic appearance and symmetry were judged to be good or excellent in the majority of patients. Overall patient satisfaction was high. Tissue expansion with implant exchange is an effective reconstructive technique for mastectomy defects after previous inverted-T mammaplasty. In this series, good to excellent aesthetic results were achieved in the majority of patients with minimal associated complications.     

乳房皮下切除与自体组织即刻乳房再造

目的探索乳房皮下切除与几种方法的乳房再造术，即腹直肌肌皮瓣或背阔肌肌皮瓣加乳房假体或局部皮瓣等即刻再造乳房的方法。方法选择乳腺导管内原位癌10例和巨大乳腺良性肿瘤5例，顺乳晕切口活检，病理检查确立诊断后，采用经乳腺切口行乳癌或巨大肿瘤的乳房皮下切除术，若乳癌或良性肿瘤体积较大，另于腋窝部加做顺腋下皱襞的附加切口，以便于取出切除的组织及切除乳腺的腋尾部，同时可以切取腋淋巴结行冰冻切片活检。然后，应用腹直肌肌皮瓣或背阔肌肌皮瓣加乳房假体或局部皮瓣即刻行再造乳房，充填乳房切除后的空间，仅以少量的肌皮瓣皮肤修复乳头、乳晕切除后的缺损，并在此转移皮瓣上再造乳头、乳晕。结果经过多专科协作共完成15例，随访结果良好，无肿瘤复发。此法再造的乳房易与健侧乳房对称，保留了原有乳房皮肤的良好感觉，外观形态自然，再造乳房瘢痕较少，且手术切口瘢痕隐蔽。结论在严格选择手术适应证防止乳腺癌复发的前提下，乳房皮下切除与即刻乳房再造法，对乳腺导管内原位癌和巨大乳腺良性肿瘤患者I期完成肿瘤切除和乳房再造术，具有积极有效的意义。     

Circumareolar Dermo-Glandular Plication: A New Concept for Correction of Breast Ptosis

Circumareolar dermo-glandular plication is the latest advancement of the periareolar dermopexy with a retromammary mastopexy technique I published in 1969. Rather than a technique, the new concept is a procedure which originates new techniques covering multiple indications, i.e. for all conditions combined with ptosis: for mastopexy in ptotic breasts, for hypertrophic or hypoplastic breasts with resection or implant augmentation, respectively; for subcutaneous mastectomy, gynecomastia, asymmetries, and tuberous breasts. It is useful for reoperations to correct secondary ptosis as well as to reduce the length of the scar in vertical techniques. The corresponding techniques are described. The procedure has proved to be safe and reliable in over 200 patients with the following advantages: no full thickness skin incision or excisions are performed; only the epidermis is excised. Except for hypertrophies, the skin is not dissected from the gland, nor the gland from the pectoralis fascia, which increases vascular safety and preserves NAC innervation; the dermoglandular unit of the breast through Cooper's ligaments is stabilized by a single or multiple plications. The scar is only circumareolar, reducing psychological stress and discomfort and achieving an early recovery and patient satisfaction. The inconveniences are puckering and some widening of the periareolar scar, which requires a secondary revision in approximately 50% of the cases, also frequently necessary in conventional techniques. There is a tendency to flattening of the NAC and periareolar bulging with tendency to a ``tomato breast appearance.' The prevention of the latter is described.     

应用皮肤皱缩缝合技术行垂直切口乳房缩小整形术

目的　减少乳房缩小整形术所导致的切口瘢痕。方法　在做乳房缩小整形术时 ,在乳房下皱襞处不做切口 ,仅保留乳晕周围和乳晕下垂直切口 ,对乳房进行悬吊和塑形 ,而对乳晕下多余的皮肤和较长的皮肤切口 ,应用皮肤皱缩缝合技术进行缝合 ,利用组织的弹性 ,使其在手术后自动逐渐展平。结果　共为 13例患者实施了垂直切口的乳房缩小整形术 ,术后切口皆一期愈合 ,无血肿、感染、皮肤或乳头坏死等并发症发生 ,除 3例巨乳合并乳房严重松垂者半年后需再次对下皱襞处多余皮肤进行小的修整外 ,其余患者术后乳房和垂直切口形态满意。结论　垂直切口乳房缩小整形术设计、操作简单 ,容易掌握 ,效果恒定 ,在保证乳房缩小整形良好的乳房形态的同时 ,避免了在乳房下皱襞处的切口 ,是一种较好的乳房缩小整形术式。     

Application and modification of the circular skin excision and pursestring procedures

The concept of the circular excision is not new. However, it was complicated by excessive postoperative areolar stretching and scar hypertrophy. The Benelli principle of a permanent subdermal pursestring suture overcame these drawbacks. We present our experiences with the circular skin excision for mastopexy procedures and for circular skin incision for total mastectomy and immediate reconstruction.     

Skin-sparing mastectomy with staged tissue expander reconstruction using a silicone gel prosthesis and contralateral endoscopic breast augmentation

Women with an A or B cup-size breast with no ptosis or glandular ptosis underwent a skin-sparing mastectomy through a periareolar incision. A submuscular tissue expander was placed for immediate reconstruction. The periareolar incision was closed using a modified pursestring technique. The reconstructed breast was expanded to a C cup size. The expander was removed and replaced with a silicone gel prosthesis. At the time of tissue expander removal, the contralateral breast underwent endoscopic augmentation. Nipple-areolar reconstruction was performed during a third stage to cover the mastectomy scar. Implant reconstruction of the breast frequently results in a breast mound that has greater upper breast fullness than the opposite breast. By augmenting the opposite breast, better symmetry is achieved. Burden WR. Skin-sparing mastectomy with staged tissue expander reconstruction using a silicone gel prosthesis and contralateral endoscopic breast augmentation.     

Mammoplasty using liposuction and the periareolar incision

The major dilemma of reduction mammoplasty and mastopexy has been the difficult choice between a procedure that yields an ideal shape of the breast versus the size of the scar. With our technique, selected breasts can now be reduced through liposuction and the mastopexy performed through a periareolar incision, resulting in virtually imperceptible scarring.     

An application of the LeJour vertical mammaplasty pattern for skin-sparing mastectomy: a preliminary report

An application of the LeJour vertical mammaplasty skin pattern for skin-sparing mastectomy is presented. The approach provides adequate access for the mastectomy, axillary dissection, and immediate breast reconstruction. The technique is ideal for patients with large or ptotic breasts undergoing a simultaneous contralateral breast reduction or mastopexy. It is particularly suitable for autogenous tissue reconstruction. Its use in mastectomies for cancer and prophylactic subcutaneous mastectomies is described.     

Oncoplastic surgery for Japanese patients with breast cancer of the lower pole

This report presents the results of oncoplastic surgery in three Japanese patients with breast cancer lesions involving the lower pole of the breast. Their breasts were ptotic, and their lesions were considered to be suitable for breast conservation surgery. There were treated with partial mastectomy resection using vertical-scar mammaplasty, with reduction surgery and recentralization of the nipple-areola complex. Two patients underwent a mirror-image biopsy on the contralateral breasts to determine the symmetry. The remaining patient had periareolar incision mastopexy without reduction added for the contralateral breast. A large surgical margin was used to remove excessive skin and parenchymal tissue. Ideal symmetry was achieved by performing reduction and/or mastopexy on the contralateral breast.     

Vertical Scar Mammaplasty: Stable Padding of the Superior Pole by Means of a Posteriorly Based Pedicle Autoprosthesis

Background: By means of the classical operations of reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy, one may never achieve an adequate shaping of the upper half of the breast. Objective: To durably fill the superior mammary pole, I suggest that the ptotic tissue of the inferior portion should be used even in the vertical scar technique. Methods: A glandular-adipose flap with a posterior pedicle can be lifted upward without any difficulty. This “autoprosthesis” is then anchored to the chest wall by sutures, and the areolar flap may be placed directly above it. Once the lateral pillars are joined according to the Lassus-Lejour technique, the flap is permanently fixed. Results: Thirty-five patients were treated with this technique from 1995 to 1997, of whom 24 underwent “pure” mastopexy and 11 underwent reductions averaging excision of 360 cc per breast. Conclusions: This technique has helped alleviate the problem of an empty upper pole of the female breast after mammaplasty and achieve a turgid and “padded” appearance to the breast after 2 years.     

Circumvertical reduction mastoplasty

Background: Circumvertical reduction mastoplasty combines periareolar and vertical techniques for the treatment of large breast hypertrophies. Objective: The advantage of circumvertical reduction mastoplasty over the periareolar technique is the occurrence of fewer wrinkles. Its advantage over the vertical technique is a shorter scar that does not extend beyond the new inframammary crease. Methods: In this technique, the areola is transposed attached to the gland and glandular removal is performed as a wedge excision in the lower quadrant and inferior portions of the lateral and medial quadrants. Liposuction is rarely required but may be useful at the end of the procedure and in cases with small asymmetries. Results: Once the surgery is complete, a uniform and harmonious distribution of wrinkles is observed. Postoperative follow-up of 62 patients, ranging from 1 to 6 years, revealed resections of up to 1000 g per breast. All results were satisfactory. Conclusions: Circumvertical reduction mastoplasty offers a reliable and easily performed approach to breast reduction, which is appropriate for removal of between 400 and 1000 g per breast.     

Unsatisfactory results of periareolar mastopexy with or without augmentation and reduction mammoplasty: enlarged areola with flattened nipple

A method of repair is described for correction of abnormally enlarged nipple–areola complex following both periareolar mastopexy and pregnancy. Although during periolar mastopexy or reduction mammoplasty regular subcuticular dermal sutures may control the enlargement of nipple–areola complexes initially, the periareolar scar becomes hypertrophic and areolar spreading occurs to some extent. Periareolar mastopexy techniques are indeed advisable only for minimal hypertrophies or ptosis of the breast, especially for areolar asymmetry, if an acceptable, normal-size areola is expected. The authors believe that in periolar mastopexy or reduction mammoplasty cases resulting in enlarged nipple–areola complexes, the size of the areola can also be corrected by reduction mammoplasty or mastopexy using vertical bipedicle techniques. Although surgery results in an inverted T incision, the shape of the breast is more acceptable and the size of the areola does not enlarge with time.