Reduction mammaplasty in teenagers.
BACKGROUND
Asymmetrical breasts are an aesthetic problem for teenagers that should be dealt with by a plastic surgeon before it causes significant psychosocial problems. Incision placement is crucial, and attempts must be made to ensure that the scar is well hidden.


METHODS
Eleven teenage girls with asymmetrical breasts underwent unilateral reduction mammaplasty of the larger breast, and four of them also underwent augmentation of the smaller-than-normal contralateral breast with a gel-filled implant. A submammary incision was made for reduction mammaplasty, and the natural elasticity of the young skin was put to good use.


RESULTS
There were no postoperative complications, and all the patients were highly satisfied with the final results. The scars are invisible, concealed in the submammary crease.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduction mammaplasty is feasible for teenagers. The author recommends the procedure for correction of breast asymmetry to avoid emotional and social problems in the adolescent girl.
Piza-Katzer
Hildegunde
H
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020, Innsbruck, Austria. Hildegunde.Piza@uibk.ac.at
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*