Choosing the superomedial pedicle for reduction mammaplasty in gigantomastia.
BACKGROUND
The optimal reduction technique for the treatment of macromastia greater than 1 kg remains controversial. Conventionally, breast amputation and free nipple grafting has been used, but this leaves a flat and insensate nipple. Anatomical studies have suggested the superomedial technique to be a safe choice in these patients.


METHODS
A retrospective study analyzing the outcome of reduction mammaplasty for macromastia greater than 1 kg using the superomedial pedicle technique was performed. Data were collected over a 10-year period from 1995 to 2005. All reduction mammaplasty patients with resection weights greater than 1 kg per breast were included in the study.


RESULTS
Sixty-one patients were included (122 breasts). The mean age was 29 years. The mean suprasternal notch to nipple distance was 35 cm on the left and 35 cm on the right, and the mean nipple to inframammary crease distance was 19 cm on the left and 20 cm on the right. The Wise keyhole reduction pattern technique was used for all patients. Mean follow-up was 12 months. The mean resection weight per breast was 1360 g for the left breast and 1398 g for the right breast. Fifteen different surgeons performed the operations over this period. All patients had viable nipples postoperatively; there was partial areola necrosis in eight breasts (6.5 percent), with only minor other complications, including T-junction breakdown in 22 breasts (18 percent) and dog-ear excisions.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has confirmed the superomedial pedicle technique to be safe and reliable for resections greater than 1 kg.
Landau
Alex G
AG
Cape Town, South Africa From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Groote Schuur Hospital, University of Cape Town.
Hudson
Don A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001940:Breast / Q000473:pathology*; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006984:Hypertrophy; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*