Surgical management of gynecomastia under endoscope

BACKGROUND: Gynecomastia is an abnormal enlargement of one or both breasts in men. Breast-reduction surgery can help those patients who feel anxious about their abnormal appearance. Surgical treatment of gynecomastia is to excise the excess glandular tissue, which can be performed alone or in conjunction with liposuction. With two successful cases, we proposed that the endoscopic removal of gynecomastia tissue is an innovative, effective surgical treatment. METHODS: Through three small incisions along the mid-axillary line, we surgically treated 2 young gynecomastia patients under an endoscope. The man first was 25 years old, with a developed right breast for 3 years, which was grade II, according to Simon's classification. The second patient was 24 and was diagnosed as bilateral gynecomastia of grade I for 10 years. RESULTS: The endoscopic removal of the glandular tissue was successfully completed. Only minor postoperative complications occurred. Both patients were satisfied with the cosmetic results of the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical treatment of gynecomastia under an endoscope is a new modality, which presents a satisfactory cosmetic result while leaving minimal and hidden scarring and seldom causes postoperative complications.