Breast Morphological Changes after Transaxillary Dual-Plane Augmentation with Smooth Round Implants: A Prospective Study.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Breast augmentation is the most performed cosmetic surgery in the world. Although smooth round implants are widely used, the trend in breast morphology change after dual-plane augmentation with such implants remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the issue with the support of 3D scanning technology, which may help provide an objective basis for the evaluation of postoperative outcomes and the determination of follow-up time points. METHODS: Patients undergoing dual-plane augmentation with smooth round implants were prospectively included in this study. The variation trend of postoperative breast morphology was analyzed by measuring the specified linear distance, body surface distance, breast projection, nipple position and breast volume at different follow-up time points (1st month, post-1M; 3rd month, post-3M; 6th month, post-6M; 12th month, post-12M). RESULTS: A total of 18 patients were included in this study. During the postoperative follow-up period, breast height prolonged while interval of the medial border gradually widened. Breast width was maintained without significant alterations from post-1M. The N-MBB lengthened with shortening of the N-LBB, meanwhile the N-IMF was prolonged by 0.6 cm. Breast volume was gradually reduced with the decrease in breast projection. The position of the nipple gradually shifted laterally, superiorly, and posteriorly after surgery. There was no statistically significant difference between the linear distance at post-3M and post-12M, while the surface distance, breast projection, nipple position and breast volume tended to be stable at post-6M. CONCLUSIONS: After dual-plane augmentation with smooth round implants, the base contour of the breast shifted outwards and downwards, and stabilized after 3 months. The remaining breast morphological parameters reached a relative steady state by post-6M, which could be regarded as the time point for objective evaluation of postoperative effect. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .