Photometric Evaluation of Long-term Changes in Breast Shape after Breast Augmentation and Vertical Mammaplasty

Abstract

Background:Little information is presently available regarding the long-term effects of breast augmentation and mammaplasties on breast shape. Existing studies typically use 1-dimensional measurements and mean follow-up times seldom exceed 1 year.Methods:Twenty women were studied: breast augmentation (n = 5), mastopexy (n = 5), augmentation/mastopexy (n = 5), and breast reduction (n = 5). For mammaplasties, a vertical method using a medial pedicle and intraoperative nipple siting was used in all cases. A 2-dimensional measurement system was used, with computer-assisted matching of lateral photographs of the right and left breasts. Measurements were evaluated at 3 times: before surgery, 1 year after surgery, and 10 years after surgery.Results:Breast implants significantly increased breast projection and upper pole projection. The nipple level was unchanged. The lower pole level dropped. These changes were preserved at 10 years. Vertical mastopexy provided a modest increment in breast projection and upper pole projection. The nipple level and lower pole level were raised significantly. Augmentation/mastopexy boosted breast projection and upper pole projection, and also elevated the nipple and lower pole level. Breast reduction changes were similar to mastopexy, but with greater elevation of nipple level and lower pole level, which were usually lower to start with. Implants increased upper pole convexity. Nipple overelevation was avoided by intraoperative nipple siting just below the breast apex.Conclusions:These measurements provide new information regarding the long-term effects of breast augmentation and vertical mammaplasties. This information may be used by plastic surgeons in procedure selection and patient counseling.

A Comparison of 28 Published Augmentation/Mastopexy Techniques Using Photographic Measurements

“… 40 , 106 Central mound techniques require skin undermining, increasing the risk of delayed wound healing. 9 Measurement changes are similar to those produced by implants alone 14 , 107 – 109 (Fig. 3 ).…”

“…Nipple overelevation may be avoided. 19 , 107 , 109 Vertical mammaplasty requires less operating time than the Wise pattern and offers a high degree of safety because the superficial pedicle (wholly located anterior to the breast implant rather than tethered at the inframammary fold) is short and robust. 106 , 110 A medial or superomedial dermal connection is preserved.…”

An anthropometric evaluation of the augmented breast: differences between cis-and transgender women and possible clinical implications

“…Therefore, morphological changes due to aging have not been accounted for. Fortunately, morphological changes up to 10 years after augmentation remain small and validates the use of this comparative cohort of cis women [29]. Despite these limitations, this study found highly distinctive characteristics in breast anthropometry between trans and cis women, and is the first study to have compared these outcomes in such detail.…”

Ten Measurements That Can Reduce Anxiety in Physicians and Their Patients Undergoing Breast Augmentation Surgery

“…Methods include simple tape measure-based systems such as described here, [4][5][6][7] measurements taken from standardized photographic images [8][9][10][11] and 3-dimensional scanning systems. [12][13][14][15][16] Although it has been suggested that direct measurements lead to considerable interobserver and intraobserver error, this is not the case.…”