title: Selecting the implant height in breast augmentation with anatomical prosthesis: the "number Y".
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Selecting the appropriate implant is one of the most important and demanding decisions in breast augmentation with anatomical implants, because different widths, heights, and projections can be found for a given volume. Most of the related literature and surgeons' concern have focused on width and projection. Implant height selection, however, has remained deeply overlooked, and it has been assumed that it depended on the suprasternal notch-to-nipple distance and, to a large extent, on the patient's height.
  
  
  METHODS
  With more than 5123 breast augmentations performed over the past 15 years, the authors performed an analysis of the breast and implant height with consequences in aesthetic augmentation of the breast. Two concepts--breast implantation base (or breast footprint) and somatotype--were explored. Their influence in the selection of the appropriate anatomical implant height is investigated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Selection of implant height should follow the patient's breast implantation base, which is highly influenced by her somatotype. With this assumption, a "number Y" is proposed that correlates the suprasternal notch-to-nipple distance with the thoracic perimeter and unveils the shape of the breast implantation base in the particular patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adjusting the implant shape/footprint to the breast implantation base/breast footprint gives the surgeon control over the upper pole of the breast and allows a predictable postoperative result. The number Y rationalizes the selection of the implant height in breast augmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, IV.
authors.affiliation: Madrid, Spain; and Houston, Texas From the Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery Service, Hospital Quirón; and Baylor College of Medicine.
authors.forename: Jose L Martin
authors.initials: JLM
authors.lastname: Del Yerro
authors.forename: Manuel R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Vegas
authors.forename: Veronica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Emilio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Moreno
authors.forename: Ignacio
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sanz
authors.forename: Susana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Puga
authors.forename: Maria G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Vecino
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Biggs
mesh_terms: D001827:Body Height; D019928:Breast Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D018427:Breast Implants; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008432:Mathematical Computing; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013008:Somatotypes; D013223:Statistics as Topic