title: The vertical mammaplasty: a reappraisal of the technique and its complications.
abstract: Since 1989, superior pedicle vertical scar mammaplasty as described by Lejour has been used in the authors' department as the only technique for breast reduction. From 1991 through 1994, a series of 170 consecutive patients (330 breasts) underwent an operation. In these patients, minor complications were observed in 30 percent of the patients and major complications in 15 percent. Surgical revision for scar or volume corrections was necessary in 28 percent of the breasts, which seemed unacceptable. Therefore, the original technique was modified by decreasing the skin undermining and avoiding liposuction in the breast. Primary skin excision was performed in the submammary fold at the end of the operation if the skin could not be puckered adequately. This modified technique was used from 1996 through 1999 in 138 consecutive patients (227 breasts). In the second series, minor complications were observed in 15 percent of the patients and major complications in 5 percent. However, the technical modifications did not significantly change the rate of secondary scar and volume corrections, which were still necessary in 22 percent of the breasts. In large breasts, the addition of a horizontal scar at the end of the operation did not change the rate of secondary revision, which however compares favorably with the figures obtained with the inverted T, superior pedicle mammaplasty.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Brugmann University Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Valéry
authors.initials: JV
authors.lastname: Berthe
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Massaut
authors.forename: Muriel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Greuse
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Coessens
authors.forename: Albert
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Mey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015187:Lipectomy / Q000379:methods; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation / Q000379:methods; D013536:Suture Techniques