Decision Making in the Treatment of Tuberous and Tubular Breasts: Volume Adjustment as a Crucial Stage in the Surgical Strategy

Abstract

Tuberous and tubular breasts, two distinct deformities based on the same anatomic anomaly, are characterized by several morphologic alterations with a wide spectrum of expression. The classifications reported in the literature are based primarily on deformity of shape, but other parameters such as breast volume and symmetry often are underrated. This study aimed to define tuberous and tubular breasts and their management accurately on the basis of multiple anatomic alterations involving breast volume and symmetry as well as shape. The records of 30 patients affected by tubular and tuberous breast were reviewed. Surgical strategy included correction of breast shape through areola and gland alterations, correction of volume asymmetry through parenchyma resection, and volume augmentation through permanent expandable breast implant insertion. All the patients were treated bilaterally. Evaluation using a visual analogic scale confirmed high patient satisfaction with a mean value of 92.6% in the assessment of shape, volume, and symmetry. Correct diagnosis, careful preoperative evaluation, and a comprehensive surgical strategy can achieve, in one surgical procedure, good and long-lasting outcomes in terms of breast shape and volume symmetry.

Aesthetic Correction of Tuberous Breast Deformity-Lessons Learned with a Single-Stage Procedure

“…Since the first description of tuberous breast deformity, several authors have described, classified, and tried to correct this deformity using different surgical approaches (5,6,8,9,12,14,15). Besides the correction of breast tissue hypoplasia and constriction of the breast base, the most difficult technical challenge to treat this condition is to achieve symmetry of shape because of common asymmetry.…”

Shaping the Breast in Aesthetic and Reconstructive Breast Surgery: An Easy Three-Step Principle. Part IV—Aesthetic Breast Surgery

“…Several small glandular flaps can also be used to achieve the same goal. 16,17 If sufficient laxity of the caudal skin is present, a normal shape can be acquired in a one-step procedure.…”

Keyhole pattern for preoperative marking for reduction mammaplasty

“…Three patients presented early complications during the follow-up period (5.75%). These rates are similar to The visual analogue scale has been widely used for the evaluation of many surgery-related procedures including breast surgery (9,12,13). The postoperative aspects of the breast were evaluated by the patients using a numerical visual analogue scale at the seven-, 15-and 30-day postoperative periods.…”