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.