Augmentation Mastopexy: A Five-step Standardized Strategy Approach.

Planning a combined procedure requires ensuring an optimal fill of the reduced breast skin envelope, which in turn requires a system to quantify skin excess to ensure that the selected implant achieves that optimal fill. This has led us to develop a five-step approach that a surgical team can use to assess patients scheduled to undergo an augmentation mastopexy and arrive at an optimal surgical strategy. Methods: This retrospective study included 50 consecutive cases where layered mastopexies combined with augmentation mammaplasties were performed. Step 1 entailed a preoperative examination and evaluation of the breasts. In step 2, the breast volume was assessed. The pocket plane was determined in step 3. The choice of which surgical technique to use was done in step 4, and in step 5, the horizontal skin excess was assessed. Results: The average implant size was 300 cm3 (range: 170-350 cm3). The overall revision rate was 4%: on average, revision surgeries were performed 24 months after the first surgery. The average implant size was 300 cm3 (range: 170-350 cm3). Conclusions: Early results of single-stage augmentation with mastopexy have shown that the design of this systematic five-step approach demonstrates a great potential for producing reliable results with minimal risk. Using this five-step approach will improve patient and surgeon satisfaction and help to replace the old concept of "fill and re-drape" with a new one of "plan, reduce, fill, and re-drape."

Mastopexy: with or without Acellular Dermal Matrix?

In the years after unilateral breast reconstruction, the reconstructed breast resists ptosis more than natural breast tissue in the native contralateral breast. As acellular dermal matrix (ADM) becomes fully incorporated into the recipient's anatomy, thus reinforcing the inferior pole of the uplifted breast, we combined our mastopexy cases with ADM in an attempt to reduce the rate of recurrent ptosis. Method: This was a prospective randomized analysis of a cohort of 24 patients, divided into two groups (A and B); all underwent primary unilateral mastopexy to correct grade III breast ptosis. Our patients had previously undergone contralateral skin sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction, for invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ that originally was symmetrical to their native breast. The symmetrization mastopexy in half of our patients was carried out with the addition of an ADM sling to the inferior pole of the breast, to act as an internal, subcutaneous supportive "bra" (A). The other half of patients received a standard symmetrization mastopexy, without the addition of an ADM support (B). Patients were followed up for 36 months. Results: The difference between control arm and study groups revealed a statistical difference (P < 0.05), when comparing the follow-up period. From the sixth postoperative month onward, the measurements for group A revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) when compared with group B. Conclusion: The additional ADM sling acts as an added layer of support, thus delaying reoccurrence of ptosis following mastopexy.

Systematic Approach for Management and Prevention of Boxy Breast.

BACKGROUND: Although a boxy breast is a common aesthetic problem following breast reduction and mastopexy, literature regarding this deformity is scarce. It is vaguely described as a definitive postreduction deformity. To address this complication, it is important to fully analyze the problem, understand and predict its causes, and then try to prevent it. METHODS: This study included two groups. Group 1 included 14 patients presenting with boxy postoperative breasts. Revision surgeries were conducted for all patients, and the first algorithm was created for quantifying breast surgery in revision cases. Group 2 included 37 cases of primary mammaplasty reduction/mastopexy performed between 2016 and 2019. All the patients in this group were treated as per the study algorithm. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction was measured on a scale of one to 10, with one being extremely dissatisfied and 10 being extremely satisfied. The results indicated overall satisfaction, with average scores of 9.5 and 9.1 in groups 1 and 2, respectively; the scores of surgeon satisfaction were 8.2 and 8.6, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed algorithm, preoperative markings, intraoperative techniques, and postoperative orientation may help achieve optimal results and prevent undesired deformities or asymmetry. Applying a flexible and simplified algorithm provided a more objective plan, which enabled surgeons to attain more satisfactory results. Following a preset quantified plan supported and shortened learning curves and objectively addressed the common postoperative complication, breast boxing.

Alar Flare Preservation Using the Sandwich Technique as an Adjunct to Alar Base Reduction.

Achieving an aesthetic balance and natural appearance when modifying soft tissues of the nasal tip, alae, and nostrils is fundamental to the success of rhinoplasty surgery. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of a simple "sandwich" technique combined with external alar base reduction to preserve the alar flare and achieve a natural and appealing alar contour. METHODS: The study included 40 patients who reported dissatisfaction due to excessive nasal flaring. Cartilaginous grafts were harvested from the septum in cases of primary rhinoplasty. Grafts were harvested from the conchal cartilage in cases of secondary rhinoplasty to ensure adequacy of the grafts. The grafts were inserted from the alar wedge excision point along the created pocket to be "sandwiched" in the soft tissue of the alar rim. RESULTS: The average preoperative alar flare was 35.2 mm (SD ±1.9 mm), with an average postoperative reduction of 3 mm. Difference between intercanthal distance and postoperative alar flare distance showed a mean of (-0.4 mm) (SD ±1.2 mm) and was highly significant with P < 0.05. A comparison between nasal base width and alar flare measurements was done. Difference between nasal base width and preoperative alar flare distance was (-9.2 mm) (SD ±2.6), and between nasal base width and postoperative alar flare was (-6.3 mm) (SD ±2.1). Postoperatively, overall patient satisfaction was scored 4.1 of 5. CONCLUSION: The use of a trapezoidal graft, in combination with external alar base reduction, markedly improves the basal view while maintaining the natural alar flare and curvature.

Autologous Mastopexy and Autoaugmention of the Breast.

BACKGROUND: Autologous mastopexy is an alternative for patients with small breasts, ptosis and upper pole hollowness, who desire improvement in their breast shape without using an implant. A variety of techniques have been tried throughout the years. Recently the use of autologous fat grafting (AFG) for breast augmentation increased in popularity and showed satisfying cosmetic outcome in enhancement of size, shape and texture of the breast. METHODS: 25 patients with grade 2 ptosis were included in this study. Lower Island Flap Transposition (LIFT) technique was modified and either done alone or in combination with lipofilling, whether at the same setting or as a second stage. Preoperative and postoperative measurements and pictures were documented. RESULTS: Lateral upper pole projection measurements showed an average increase of 28.5% equal to about 1.8 cm. As for the maximum breast projection an increase of about 33% accounting for about 2 cm was documented. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the combination of LIFT technique after its modification with AFG has proven to be an effective technique with consistent results for patients presenting with grade 2 ptosis and upper pole hollowness. The addition of AFG to the modified LIFT technique can be considered a step forward in achieving autoaugmentation and autologous mastopexy without using implants.