Analysis of the complications following the periareolar reduction mammaplasty using polypropylene mesh as suspension device / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the cause and the prophylactic measures for the complication following the periareolar reduction mammaplasty using polypropylene mesh as suspension device.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From Dec. 1999 to Dec. 2005, 78 patients who underwent periareolar reduction mammaplasty using polypropylene mesh as suspension device were analysed. Among them, 47 cases were followed-up for 6 months to 5 years, and their long-term effect was evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Early after operation, complications included seroma (3 cases), infection (3 cases), delayed wound healing (3 cases), and paraesthesia of nipple-areolar complex (1 case). The 47 followed-up patients presented abnormal wave-like skin appearance in superior polar of breast (7 cases), palpable cord-like mammary content in peripheral region of breast (3 cases), widening of periareolar scar and secondary ptosis (2 cases) and paraesthesia of nipple-areolar complex (1 case). All other patients acquired good appearance and felt satisfactory. 2 patients could lactate after operation. 5 patients underwent mammary X-ray radiography after operation. No mesh shadow or calcification was revealed.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Although polypropylene mesh is a good suspension device in reduction mammaplasty, the long-term complication is relatively high because of the hardness of the tissue. More soft tissue is necessary as alternative device for clinical application.</p>