Augmentation

Plastic Surgery of the Breast: A 75-Year Journey.

The inframammary fold (IMF) incision is widely used in Western countries for breast augmentation surgery, whereas the axillary incision is the dominant approach used in China, because many Chinese surgeons believe that the Asian population has a higher risk of developing hypertrophic scars. However, comparative data of scar assessment through different incisions in Chinese patients are scarce. The aims of the study were as follows: (1) to evaluate the outcomes of scar assessment using the Vancouver scar scale (VSS), combined with patient satisfaction scoring, in the scar assessment after breast augmentation surgery; (2) to compare the long-term cosmetic effects of surgical scars between axillary and IMF incisions. Consecutive patients coming to our department for follow-up care at least 1year after primary breast augmentation surgeries with axillary and IMF incisions between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 were included in the research. Internal consistency, inter-rater reliability, and convergent validity were examined for the VSS and patient satisfaction scoring. The baseline characteristics and scar scores were tested using the Mann-Whitney U-test and Student's t test between the two groups. Sixty-one patients underwent implantation surgeries through the axillary incisions, and 17 patients through the IMF incisions. There were no significant differences in age, follow-up time, body mass index, implant volume, or implant projection between groups. Reliability and validity of the VSS and patient satisfaction scoring were satisfactory. The scores of pigmentation were higher in the IMF group than those in the axilla group with statistical significance (P<0.05). The scores of other subscales, overall VSS scores, and patient satisfaction were not statistically significant. The scars were significantly longer in the axilla group compared with the IMF group (P<0.05). The VSS combined with patient satisfaction scoring constitutes an effective tool to evaluate incision scars after augmentation mammaplasty. Scars in the axilla and IMF can achieve comparable cosmetic effects and patient satisfaction in Chinese women. Chinese patients with proper indications can receive breast augmentation surgery through the IMF incision, with fewer risks and less trauma, and get satisfactory scar appearance as through the axillary incision. 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 .

The inframammary fold (IMF) is an important landmark in breast aesthetic surgery. In augmentation mastopexy procedures, secure and accurate placement of the IMF is essential to aesthetic outcomes and to allow the new IMF to heal in the correct position without displacement. The authors present a simple and efficient four-layer wound closure technique using barbed sutures for closure of the repositioned IMF in augmentation mastopexy procedures. This method was previously described by the first author for reset of the IMF in breast augmentation surgery and has been adapted to the longer IMF incision in augmentation mastopexy procedures. A retrospective review was undertaken of 335 patients who underwent bilateral breast augmentation mastopexy procedures with a Wise pattern technique at a single unit. The newly reset IMF was closed using barbed sutures and a four-layer closure technique. There were no cases of complications related to wound healing or wound dehiscence. One patient required explantation for an infected implant. The four-layer wound closure technique with barbed sutures provides a quick and efficient method for accurate closure of the newly reset IMF, with positive outcomes related to wound healing. Secure and accurate placement of the inframammary fold is crucial in augmentation mastopexy procedures. The use of a four-layer wound closure technique with barbed sutures provides an efficient method for accurate closure of the newly reset inframammary fold. This method was previously described by the first author for reset of the IMF in breast augmentation surgery and has been adapted to the longer IMF incision in augmentation mastopexy procedures. 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 .

Capsular contracture is a known complication of breast augmentation and is among the top reasons for revisional breast augmentation procedures. The use of acellular dermal matrix (ADM) has been shown to reduce the rate of capsular contracture in breast reconstruction and augmentation, theorizing that it acts as a protective barrier between the implant capsule and inflammatory process responsible for capsular contracture. The role of ADM in treatment of capsular contracture has been investigated in numerous studies, with a variety of ADMs. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review of existing literature on the use of ADM for treatment of capsular contracture in aesthetic breast augmentation patients to investigate differences in efficacy of ADM types. The PubMed, Embase, and CINAHL databases were systematically reviewed for articles pertaining to capsular contracture, acellular dermal matrices, and breast augmentation. Number of patients, type of ADM, Baker grade, follow-up time, complication rate, and capsular contracture rate were recorded from identified articles. Data was pooled from studies to calculate a capsular contracture rate for each ADM type, with a chi-squared test performed for analysis. Identified studies with a comparative group were included in a meta-analysis utilizing risk ratio (RR) to assess the efficacy of ADM. Nine articles including ADM for treatment of capsular contracture in breast augmentation met criteria for inclusion, with a total of 481 breasts. Strattice was the most commonly utilized ADM (n = 391), followed by AlloDerm (n = 57). There was a statistically significant difference in efficacy of ADM among the studied ADM types (P < .001). AlloDerm, FlexHD, and DermaMatrix had the lowest capsular contracture rates (0%). NeoForm and SurgiMend had the highest capsular contracture rates (each 25%, but with n = 4 and n = 8, respectively). Strattice had a capsular contracture rate of 1.53% in the pooled data, and meta-analysis showed that Strattice reduced the risk of capsular contracture (RR 0.14 [95% CI 0.06, 0.31]) compared with conventional treatment. Acellular dermal matrices appear to be effective at treating capsular contracture after breast augmentation while maintaining a low complication rate. Overall capsular contracture rates are low with the use of ADM. There is a statistically significant difference in efficacy among ADM types. Meta-analysis shows that Strattice is effective at reducing the risk of capsular contracture in breast augmentation patients when compared to conventional treatment. Future research, especially in the form of randomized controlled trials, is needed to further investigate the efficacy of various ADMs in the treatment of capsular contracture.

Objective To evaluate the surgical technique and procedures of transumbilical breast augmentation with an inverse U-shape incision and insertion of saline-filled breast implants. Methods With specialized instruments, the subcutaneous tunnel was undermined to the inframammary crease after inverse U incision made along the umbilical border. The subpectoral space was dissected with a dissector after the advancement of obturator across the inframammary crease. The expander was inserted into the subpectoral pocket to be filled to obtain the high degree of symmetry of the breasts. Finally, the previously prepared implants were inserted after the expander deflated and removed. Results All patients gained satisfactory results with no complications, such as hematoma, infection, implant deflation and Baker III or IV capsular contracture. Conclusions Breast augmentation could be performed through umbilical incision with the usage of saline-filled breast implant. This is an alternative of incisions in breast augmentation. Key words: Umbilicus; Augmentation mammoplasty; Breast implants; Endoscope

Sir: Fat grafting enjoys increasing popularity as an autologous filler for breast augmentation. A comprehensive description of its complication optimizes patient selection and improves aesthetic results. Inspired by the systematic review of Mathias Ørholt et al.,1 we would like to report a rare complication following breast augmentation with fat grafting. A 23-year-old woman presented with an obvious confluence of the bilateral breasts for 1 year after gaining over 10 kg of weight. Breast augmentations with fat grafting were performed twice at another institute 4 years ago and 3 years ago with unclear injection volumes. Outside our institute, liposuction of the medial confluence region achieved no correction of this breast deformity. Because of the manifestation of a soft-tissue bridge across the sternum (Fig. 1), the patient was diagnosed with symmastia. On preoperative magnetic resonance imaging examination, small adipose nodules were observed in the medial confluence region measuring 2 × 1.5 cm. In addition, no family history of breast abnormalities or breast augmentation with implants was reported. The cause of symmastia, therefore, was established as overaggressive tissue dissection and fat grafting with a sharp cannula during prior surgery that disrupted the medial breast border and presternal attachments.Fig. 1.: This 23-year-old woman presented normal volume and contour of the bilateral breast with a palpable bridge of soft tissue across the sternum.First, we attempted liposuction of the confluence region. The subcutaneous tissue, however, had already undergone fibrosis and no fat content was aspirated. Subsequently, through a 4-cm periareolar incision in the bilateral breast, a tissue bridge measuring 16 × 3.5 cm was removed from the cleavage region; the lateral border was 1.5 cm away from the sternum bilaterally, the upper border was 1 cm below the clavicle, and the lower border was along the inframammary fold. Then, three palpable cysts were removed and identified as adiponecrosis on histopathologic examination. The largest of these cysts was approximately 4 × 4 cm. Subcutaneous tissue was fixed to the sternal periosteum with subcutaneous interrupted suture at the lateral border of marked cleavage bilaterally. An elastic vest had been used postoperatively for 4 weeks to aid in the adherence between the subcutaneous tissue and sternum. Correction of the symmastia had been achieved immediately and maintained without complications such as infection, wound dehiscence, or seroma at the 8-month follow-up (Fig. 2).Fig. 2.: Eight months after surgery, the correction of symmastia had been maintained, with no recurrence.Symmastia, the medial confluence of the breasts, is a rare but complex problem that is typically associated with iatrogenic injury during breast augmentation with implants. To the best of our knowledge, we report the first case symmastia following breast augmentation with fat grafting. When this complication occurs, if fat accounts for a major part of the confluence tissue, liposuction is effective in correcting the deformity and minimizing injury to the intermammary vessels. When the intermammary tissue is composed mainly of fibrous septa and glandular tissue, treatment involving tissue excision and subdermal suturing by means of different incision approaches2–5 should be performed. Fat grafting is often regarded as a symmastia-safe operation in the parasternal areas, but our report has upset this belief. The application of sharp cannulas and the area injected should be limited and kept 1.5 cm away from the sternum with this approach. The important anatomy and boundaries of fat grafting should be highlighted in the first place to prevent symmastia. DISCLOSURE The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose. Yiye Ouyang, M.D.Chunjun Liu, M.D.Plastic Surgery Hospital (Institute)Peking Union Medical CollegeChinese Academy of Medical SciencesBeijing, People’s Republic of China

For decades, implant-based breast augmentation has been one of the most performed surgical procedures for cosmetic purposes around the world. Hence, novel manufactured implants should be critically investigated to prove them safe and effective. Here, the authors describe the first independently conducted clinical study on Nagor Impleo textured round breast implants. For this retrospective study, outcomes of 340 consecutive female patients undergoing primary cosmetic breast augmentation were analyzed. Demographic and surgical data as well as outcomes and complications were evaluated. Furthermore, a survey concerning effectiveness and aesthetic satisfaction after breast augmentation was examined. All 680 implants were placed in a submuscular plane with incisions at the inframammary fold. The main indications for surgery were hypoplasia and hypoplasia with asymmetry. The mean implant volume was 390 cc and the main type of projection was high profile. The most common complications were hematoma and capsular contracture (0.9 percent, respectively). The overall revision rate for complications was 2.4%. Additionally, almost all patients showed increased quality of life and aesthetic satisfaction after a breast augmentation. Hence, all patients would undergo breast augmentation again with these newly launched devices. Nagor Impleo implants demonstrate a low complication rate and high safety profile. Although high aesthetic satisfaction and quality of life results were achieved, analysis of an even larger series over a longer period of time would be beneficial to evaluate the reliability of this implant.

Objective To compare the scar condition after breast implantation with axillary, periareolar and inframammary fold (IMF) incisions. Methods The consecutive patients who were diagnosed as breast hypoplasia and underwent breast implantation surgeries between May 2012 to December 2014 were included in the research. The scars were assessed at 1, 6 and 12 months after surgery with VSS and patient satisfaction scoring. The results were analyzed with Variance and Kruskal-Wallis test based on the data type. Results The scars of 173 patients were assessed 3 times with the follow-up rate being 82.4%. The VSS scores of every incision declined with time, and the patient satisfaction scores increased gradually. At one month after surgery, the media VSS scores were 6 in axillary group and 4 in periareolar and IMF groups, the differences had statistical significance (P 0.05). Conclusions The scars of three incisions achieved similar cosmetic effects and patient satisfaction at long-time follow-up. Key words: Augmentation mammoplasty; Axillary incision; Periareolar incision; Inframammary fold incision; Vancouver Scar Scale; Patient satisfactionn

In a recent letter to the Aesthetic Surgery Journal , “Can We Really Control the Inframammary Fold (IMF) in Breast Augmentation?” Dr Swanson made claims regarding the inability to control the IMF during primary breast augmentation.1 We were surprised by the comment and almost decided not to respond, however, we decided to offer the following. Controlling IMF position and nipple: fold length is the single most important aspect of breast surgery and is often disregarded. The surgeon, who pays no attention to this philosophy, is sure to have poor results; and the surgeon, who makes this a priority, will enhance results; however, controlling the IMF can never be 100% successful as many variables exist, the most unpredictable being – living tissue. Our clinical practice has demonstrated an easily adaptable, low-risk, three-point IMF suture …

Galactorrhea is a rare event after breast augmentation. The physiopathologic bases of galactorrhea depend on the central secretion of prolactin. These physiopathologic bases must be clearly understood for the prevention and treatment of postoperative galactorrhea. This report describes two cases of a postoperative galactorrhea after aesthetic breast augmentation with silicone implants. The clinical appearance closely resembles a postoperative sepsis without hyperthermia. Bacteriologic samples are negative. Endocrinologic examination finds a characteristic hyperprolactinemia. The evolution is favorable under dopaminergic agonists.

No high-level evidences about the best technique or the best implant to use for obtaining the best outcomes in aesthetic breast augmentation, with low complications and re-interventions rates exist from available literature. In this paper we present the actual best evidence about the etiopathogenesis of main complications in aesthetic breast augmentation, identifying some basic rules to follow in order to reduce complication rates in our daily activity, minimizing re-interventions, obtaining long lasting results and high women's satisfaction levels.

As part of the continuous certification process, the American Board of Plastic Surgery collects case data for specific tracer procedures in aesthetic surgery to assess practice improvement by the diplomates. These case-based data provide valuable information on national trends in clinical practice. The current study was performed to analyze practice patterns in aesthetic primary breast augmentation. Breast augmentation tracer data were reviewed from 2005 to 2021 and grouped into an early cohort (EC), from 2005 through 2014, and a recent cohort (RC), from 2015 through 2021. Fisher exact tests and two-sample t tests compared demographic characteristics of the patients, surgical techniques, and complication rates. Patients in the RC were slightly older (34 versus 35 years; P < 0.001), more likely to have ptosis greater than 22 cm (20% versus 23%; P < 0.0001), less likely to smoke (12% versus 8%; P < 0.0001), and less likely to undergo a preoperative mammogram (29% versus 24%; P < 0.0001). From a technical standpoint, inframammary incisions have become more common (68% versus 80%; P < 0.0001), whereas periareolar incision use has decreased (24% versus 14%; P < 0.0001). Submuscular plane placement has increased (22% versus 56%; P < 0.0001), while subglandular placement has decreased (19% versus 7%; P < 0.0001). Silicone implants are most popular (58% versus 82%; P < 0.0001). Textured implant use increased from 2011 (2%) to 2016 (16%), followed by a sharp decline to 0% by 2021. Trends follow U.S. Food and Drug Administration approvals and warnings. This study highlights evolving trends in aesthetic breast augmentation over the past 16 years. The most common technique remains a smooth silicone prosthesis placed in the subpectoral plane through an inframammary incision.

At its inception, transaxillary breast augmentation was a blind technique associated with complications and unpredictable outcomes. The transaxillary approach now involves electrocautery dissection with direct endoscopic visualization and yields excellent aesthetic outcomes with a concealed scar. Shaped implant devices can be combined with transaxillary augmentation for natural-appearing results that can be individualized to the patient. The authors sought to improve the results of transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation by placing shaped gel implants in patients with an indistinct or absent inframammary fold (IMF), who wished to avoid a breast scar. One hundred sixteen Asian women underwent transaxillary endoscopic breast augmentation with electrocautery dissection and were evaluated in a prospective study. A partial retropectoral plane pocket was created in 4 sequential dissection steps with direct endoscopic visualization and careful control of bleeding. Shaped cohesive gel implants were placed to produce smooth, natural-appearing breast mounds and well-defined IMFs. Patients were monitored for 6 to 24 months after surgery (mean, 10 months; median, 12 months). There were no instances of pneumothorax, instrument-related skin burns, or severe implant deformation due to rotation or displacement of the implants postoperatively. Three of 116 patients (2.6%) experienced Baker 3 unilateral capsular contracture. One patient developed a unilateral hematoma at 3 weeks after surgery. Endoscopic breast surgery is associated with shortened recovery times, a reduced need for drainage, and excellent outcomes, including a well-defined and symmetric IMF. This approach, combined with shaped gel implants, can yield natural-appearing results of transaxillary breast augmentation. 4 Therapeutic.

This pioneering study evaluates the safety, efficacy, and Aesthetic outcomes of Ergonomix2 Motiva Ergonomic Implants in breast augmentation. It aims to assess their capability to offer more natural touch and dynamics, delineate the learning curve for surgical techniques, and examine their safety profile compared to Ergonomix1 implants. A prospective cohort study was conducted, comparing 31 patients who received Ergonomix2 implants with a control group of 51 patients with Ergonomix1 implants. Eligible patients were those seeking Aesthetic breast augmentation without prior surgeries or chronic illnesses. Detailed documentation of surgical techniques, implant characteristics, and patient demographics was performed. The study assessed surgical learning curve, implant positioning accuracy, and short-term and early complications. Aesthetic outcomes were evaluated using the BreastQ questionnaire and quantitative elastography. Patients with Ergonomix2 implants showed significant improvements in Aesthetic outcomes, including breast contour symmetry and natural feel. The learning curve demonstrated a decrease in surgical time and higher implant positioning accuracy. The safety profile was favorable, with a low complication rate and high patient satisfaction levels. Ergonomix2 implants exhibited enhanced softness and pliability, closely mimicking natural breast tissue, as confirmed by elastographic analyzes. Ergonomix2 implants represent a significant advancement in Aesthetic breast surgery, offering natural-feeling and dynamically adaptable outcomes. Despite the promising results, the need for specialized surgical techniques and further research on long-term safety and efficacy is emphasized. This study contributes foundational knowledge to the field of ergonomic breast implants and their application in modern plastic surgery. 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 .

Primary breast augmentation is one of the most commonly requested aesthetic procedures. Considering the large number of procedures performed in connection with a high demand, it is crucial to prevent complications. For this reason, finding and avoiding possible sources of complications is decisive. Between January 2010 and December 2021, 1625 female patients underwent an aesthetic breast augmentation performed by a single surgeon. The data collected were analyzed through a machine learning technique for binary recursive partitioning. This made it possible to detect unknown sources of a complication and determine a vertex for the various features. When analyzing the data, for most features a high importance score with low entropy was achieved, concluding a high significance. In addition, reproducibility was demonstrated through detailed testing and training accuracies in the algorithm. With this procedure, in addition to known risks such as a high BMI and round implant shape, a larger than A preoperative bra-cup size (OR: 2.7) and a taller body could also be identified as most significant influencing factors for complications. Preoperative breast size plays an exceptionally important role in the occurrence of complications and should be a factor held in a surgeon's considerations. In addition, this study shows ways to transfer artificial intelligence into plastic surgery to increase medical quality. 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 .