Minimal-scar breast reduction and mastopexy.
BACKGROUND
Classic breast reduction and mastopexy techniques leave a vertical scar, but are difficult to apply in cases requiring a large amount of breast tissue removal. This report describes a new breast reduction technique using a vertical incision for resections involving less than 600 g of tissue removal and an inverted T incision for larger resections. Results for the new technique are reported.


METHODS
For 800 women, the reported technique was used for reduction mammaplasty (n=640) and mastopexy (n=160). Peridural anesthesia was used for 90% of the patients, and general anesthesia for 10%. The minimum follow-up period was 6 months for 90% of the patients. All the patients underwent mammary x-ray and ultrasonography before surgery.


RESULTS
A short scar was obtained for all the patients. A new intervention for breast reduction was chosen by 16 patients (2%). For all the patients followed, the immediate results (projection of the areola and upper pole) remained unaltered at a late follow-up evaluation. There were no cases of infection or seroma. Hematoma occurred in 8 patients who underwent unilateral breast reconstruction, and 16 patients experienced temporary reduced sensitivity.


CONCLUSIONS
The new technique was effective in leaving a short scar and maintaining immediate results in the long term. Liposuction limited to the lateral chest wall prevented complications associated with breast tissue.
Pedron
Miriam
M
Rua Dr. Barbosa Gonçalves, 660 Barrio Chácara das Pedras, Porto Alegre, RS 91330-320, Brazil. mlpedron@terra.com.br
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome