title: Aesthetic breast reconstruction.
abstract: Breast reconstruction is fully justified only from an aesthetic perspective. A reconstructed breast, therefore, should be as aesthetically natural and similar to the contralateral one as possible, even if this means reproducing some little defects. The breast's profile (projection, ptosis, sulcus location, and superficial unevenness), symmetry, areola, and nipple are the characterizing aesthetic factors. The authors present their experience in prosthetic breast reconstruction seen with an aesthetic eye and an artistic touch, illustrating personal tips and technical adjustments: use of anatomical prostheses, pectoralis muscle treatment, sulcus stabilization or reconstruction, superficial irregularities correction, and nipple-areola complex reconstruction. Results are evaluated by both the surgeon and the patient using a score system, validating the method.
authors.affiliation: Dipartmento di Discipline Chirurgiche, Rianimatorie e dei Trapianti, Clinica Chirurgica IV, Policlinico S. Orsola, Università degli Studi di Bologna, Italy.
authors.forename: Pietro
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Panettiere
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marchetti
authors.forename: Danilo
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Accorsi
authors.forename: Giovanni-Alberto
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Del Gaudio
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008875:Middle Aged