Reduction of the opposite breast in patients with a breast reconstructed with an implant: Validity of the inverted “T”, superior pedicle technique, with an inferiorly-based dermal adipose flap

Abstract

We reviewed 28 cases of breasts reconstructed with implants and reduction mammaplasty on the other side for symmetry, with the aim of assessing the stability and aesthetic result in the reduced breasts five years postoperatively. An inverted "T", superior pedicle technique, with an inferiorly-based dermal adipose flap was used in patients who did not have overstretched Cooper's ligaments. At the 5-year follow-up, the sternal notch-to-nipple and inframammary fold-to-nipple distances were measured and the degree of ptosis was evaluated (Regnault's classification). The patients recorded their satisfaction using a verbal numerical rating scale (1-5). The patients' photographs were also sent to 12 plastic surgeons for aesthetic assessment of the reduced breasts (same verbal numerical rating scale). The comparison of the preoperative and postoperative measurements and degrees of ptosis showed reasonable stability at least during a 5-year period. The patients' mean rating of the aesthetic result was 4.3, more than good, and the surgeons' mean rating was 3.4, more than satisfactory.

Longevity of ptosis correction in mastopexy and reduction mammaplasty: A systematic review of techniques

“…These include pillar sutures, permanent and absorbable meshes, lipofilling, dermal or dermoglandular slings, autoaugmentation flaps, and muscular slings. 2 , 3 , 4 , 6 , 9 , 11 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 20 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 The meshes used were variable and permanent or partially absorbable meshes generally had better outcomes compared to fully absorbable meshes. Hamdi et al.…”

Vertical breast measurement in East Asian women: A guide for mastopexy and reduction to form nonptotic breasts in unilateral prosthetic breast reconstruction

“…This is because the use of an implant in breast reconstruction results in a nonptotic reconstructed breast, 1 and mastopexy or reduction of the unaffected breast is frequently necessary to achieve symmetry. 10 When the reconstructed breast, which was formed by breast reconstruction with autologous tissue, is ptotic, it is unproblematic if the postoperative breast shape of the unaffected breast following touch-up surgery is also ptotic. However, when prosthetic breast reconstruction is performed, the unaffected side should also be preferably nonptotic following the procedure.…”