J Cosmet Med.  2019 Dec;3(2):75-85. 10.25056/JCM.2019.3.2.75.

Surgical management of complicated ptotic breast

• Khomgongsuwan O

• KMID: 2561075
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.25056/JCM.2019.3.2.75

Abstract

Background
Breast ptosis represents a continuous challenge for cosmetic surgeons. It is difficult to treat when patients are demanding and expect the best results with minimal scarings, low cost and short postoperative recovery time. Surgeons should know which proper surgical procedures are appropriate based on the important aspects of each case. They must choose a surgical option that helps to solve the patient’s issue, meets their expectation, and results in minimal or limited complications.
Objective
Author studied the many types of breast ptosis and the surgical options for breast ptosis.
Methods
The author retrospectively analyzed 48 patients (all females; mean age, 33.7 years; age range, 22-49 years) with mild, moderate, and severe ptotic breast and different breast volumes classified by small, normal and hypertrophic breast between the 15th of January 2008 and the 30th of August 2017. The author retrospectively analyzed the type of ptotic breast, type of management and surgical result by using medical preoperative and postoperative photographs and records. Assessment of results by level of patient satisfaction is divided into poor, fair, good, and excellent. Complications are recorded each patient.
Results
Of the 48 patients of whom 45 had breast ptosis and 3 had remaining breast ptosis after previous surgery, the following surgeries were performed. Most patients had good to excellent satisfaction of results and improved the shape of their breasts. There were two cases of major complications who have superficial skin necrosis but they still resulted in good satisfaction. One patient felt she had poor improvement of the breast shape and big breasts.
Conclusion
The degree of breast ptosis and the amount of breast tissue or breast volume, are the key factors that determine surgical procedures. The selection of surgical procedure is essential and is directly related to the outcome of the surgery.

Keyword

breast augmentation; breast ptosis; crescentic mastopexy; J or L scar inverted T scar mastopexy; reduction mammoplasty; secondary mastopexy