Clinical Investigation

Is The Vertical Scar Mammaplasty a Safe Procedure for Reduction of Heavy Sized Breasts?

  • Eray COPCU
  • Nazan SIVRIOGLU
  • Çaghan BAYTEKIN
  • Banu KOÇ
  • Sule ER

Received Date: 04.03.2005 Accepted Date: 25.05.2005 Meandros Med Dent J 2005;6(2):9-13

Aim: The vertical scar mammaplasty is one of the most frequently performed operations among reduction mammoplasties. The technique has now been adopted by many surgeons for mastopexies and small reductions, but it has not been commonly used for large reductions because of the frequency of healing problems of the vertical scar. The best candidate for surgery is a patient with elastic skin, moderate hypertrophy (up to 800 g removed per breast), and a breast which is a mixture of fat and glandular tissue. Method: In this study, we present our late term results with vertical scar reduction mammaplasty in heavy sized breast with resection of 1000g or more per breast in eleven patients. Eleven patients with heavy sized 22 breasts in which more than 1000g of tissue was resected are evaluated. Results: Median age of the patients was 32 years (20-46 years) and the average amount of resected specimen was 1322g (1000-1780g) per breast. All patients were operated by the same team and senior surgeon. During the follow up period 2 major complications in the early period were observed: partial nipple-areola necrosis and hematoma. Secondary healing of a partial nipple areola necrosis in a heavy smoker patient resulted in periareolar hypertrophic scar. There were no late term complications. Conclusion: We think that the vertical mammaplasty technique can safely be applied to heavy breasts and large reductions over 1000 gr of tissue.

Keywords: reduction mammoplasty, complication, gigantomastia