title: Techniques used by United Kingdom consultant plastic surgeons to select implant size for primary breast augmentation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Techniques used to estimate implant size for primary breast augmentation have evolved since the 1970s. Currently no consensus exists on the optimal method to select implant size for primary breast augmentation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2013 we asked United Kingdom consultant plastic surgeons who were full members of BAPRAS or BAAPS what was their technique for implant size selection for primary aesthetic breast augmentation. We also asked what was the range of implant sizes they commonly used. The answers to question one were grouped into four categories: experience, measurements, pre-operative external sizers and intra-operative sizers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The response rate was 46% (164/358). Overall, 95% (153/159) of all respondents performed some form of pre-operative assessment, the others relied on "experience" only. The most common technique for pre-operative assessment was by external sizers (74%). Measurements were used by 57% of respondents and 3% used intra-operative sizers only. A combination of measurements and sizers was used by 34% of respondents. The most common measurements were breast base (68%), breast tissue compliance (19%), breast height (15%), and chest diameter (9%). The median implant size commonly used in primary breast augmentation was 300cc.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-operative external sizers are the most common technique used by UK consultant plastic surgeons to select implant size for primary breast augmentation. We discuss the above findings in relation to the evolution of pre-operative planning techniques for breast augmentation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK. Electronic address: Willjmholmes@gmail.com.
authors.forename: W J M
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Holmes
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Bradford Royal Infirmary, Bradford, UK.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Timmons
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kauser
mesh_terms: D018427:Breast Implants; D003253:Consultants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016462:Mammaplasty / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020034:Silicone Gels; D066231:Surgeons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013518:Surgery, Plastic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006113:United Kingdom; D000078329:Workforce
chemical_list: D020034:Silicone Gels
keywords: Breast augmentation; Breast measurements; Breast sizers; Pre-operative sizing; Tebbetts