Skip to main content
Log in

Vertical Scar Mammaplasty in Gigantomastia: Retrospective Study of 115 Patients Treated Using the Modified Lejour Technique

  • Published:
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Since 1996, the original technique of superior pedicle vertical scar mammaplasty described by Lejour has been modified by decreasing skin and glandular undermining, limiting liposuction, avoiding tight glandular stitches, and adding a small horizontal scar for very large breasts. Between 1996 and 2002, 115 consecutive patients underwent a bilateral reduction mammaplasty of more than 500 g per breast using the modified Lejour technique. The early, late, and delayed complications were studied according to four parameters: glandular resection, age, smoking habits, and body mass index (BMI). There was no difference in terms of complications according to the glandular resection. Patients with a high BMI were found to have a higher rate of wound dehiscence. The occurrence of partial areolar necrosis proved to be related to smoking habits. Patients younger than 20 years presented a lower rate of seroma. The modified Lejour technique has proved to be safe and effective for large breasts.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aillet S, Watier E, Chevrier S, Pailheret JP, Grall JY: Breast-feeding after reduction mammaplasty performed during adolescence. Eur J Obst Gynecol Reprod Biol 101:79, 2002

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Beer GM, Morgenthaler W, Spicher I, Meyer VE: Modifications in vertical scar breast reduction. Br J Plast Surg 54:341, 2001

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Beer GM, Spicher I, Cierpka KA, Meyer VE: Benefits and pitfalls of vertical scar breast reduction. Br J Plast Surg 57:12, 2004

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Berthe JV, Massaut J, Greuse M, Coessens B, de Mey A: The vertical mammaplasty: A reappraisal of the technique and its complications. Plast Reconstr Surg 111:2192, 2003

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Cherchel A, Azzam C, De Mey A: Breast-feeding after vertical reduction mammaplasty using a superior pedicle. J Plast Reconstr Aesth Surg (in press) 2006

  6. Cruz-Korchin N, Korchin L: Breast-feeding after vertical mammaplasty with medial pedicle. Plast Reconstr Surg 114:890, 2004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Davis GM, Ringler SL, Short K, Serrick D, Bengston BP: Reduction mammaplasty: Long-term efficacy, morbidity, and patient satisfaction. Plast Reconstr Surg 96:1106, 1995

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Dellon AL: The breast. In: Somatosensory testing and rehabilitation. American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc.: Bethesda, MD, pp. 450–454, 1997

  9. Farina MA, Newby BG, Alani HM: Innervation of the nipple–areola complex. Plast Reconstr Surg 66:497, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Godwin Y, Valassiadou K, Lewis S, Denley H: Investigation in the possible cause of subjective decreased sensory perception in the nipple–areola complex of women with macromastia. Plast Reconstr Surg 113:1598, 2004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Greuse M, Hamdi M, de Mey A: Breast sensitivity after vertical mammaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 107: 970, 2001

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Hall-Findlay E: Superolateral pedicle for breast surgery: An operation for all reasons: Discussion. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1278, 2005

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Hall-Findlay EJ: A simplified vertical reduction mammaplasty: Shortening the learning curve. Plast Reconstr Surg 104:748, 1999

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Hall-Findlay EJ: Vertical breast reduction with a medially based pedicle. Aesth Surg J 22:185, 2002

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Hidalgo DA: Vertical mammaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1179, 2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Jaspars JJ, Posma AM, van Immerseel AA, Gittenberg-de Groot AC: The cutaneous innervation of the female breast and nipple–areolar complex: Implications for surgery. Br J Plast Surg 50:668, 1997

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Lassus C: A technique for breast reduction. Int Surg 53:69, 1970

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Lejour M: Vertical mammaplasty and liposuction of the breast. Plast Reconstr Surg 94:100, 1994

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Lejour M: Vertical mammaplasty and liposuction of the breast. Quality Medical Publishing: St Louis, MO, 1994

    Google Scholar 

  20. Lejour M, Abboud M: Vertical mammaplasty without inframammary scar and with breast liposuction. Perspect Plast Surg 4:67, 1990

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lejour M, Abboud M, Declety A, Kertesz P: Réduction des cicatrices de plastie mammaire: De l’ancre courte à la verticale. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 35:369, 1990

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Leone MS, Franchelli S, Berrino P, Santi PL: Vertical mammaplasty: A personal approach. Aesth Plast Surg 21:356, 1997

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. Makki AS, Ghanem AA: Long-term results and patient satisfaction with reduction mammaplasty. Ann Plast Surg 41:370, 1998

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Marshall DR, Callan PP, Nicholson W: Breast-feeding after reduction mammaplasty. Br J Plast Surg 47:167, 1994

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. McKissok PK: Complications and undesirable results with reduction mammaplasty. In: Goldwyn RM (ed) The unfavorable results in plastic surgery: Avoidance and treatment. 2nd ed. Little, Brown: Boston, pp. 739–752, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  26. Menke H, Eisenmann-Klein M, Olbrisch RR, Exner K: Continuous quality management of breast hypertrophy by the German Association of Plastic Surgeons: A preliminary report. Ann Plast Surg 46:594, 2001

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Miller BJ, Morris SF, Sigurdson LL, Bendor-Samuel RL, Brennam M, Davies G, Paletz JL: Prospective study of outcomes after reduction mammaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1025, 2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. O’Grady KF, Thoma A, Dal Cin A: A comparison of complication rates in large and small inferior pedicle reduction mammaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:736, 2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Palumbo SK, Shifren J, Rhee C: Modifications of the Lejour vertical mammaplasty: Analysis of results in 100 consecutive patients. Ann Plast Surg 40:354, 1998

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Passot R: Correction esthétique de la ptose mammaire. In: Doin G (ed) Chirurgie Esthétique: Technique et Résultats. G. Doin & Co., Paris, France, 1931

  31. Pickford MA, Boorman JG: Early experience with the Lejour vertical scar reduction mammaplasty. Br J Plast Surg 46:516, 1993

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Pitanguy I: Surgical treatment of breast hypertrophy. Br J Plast Surg 20:78, 1967

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Robbins TH: Innervation of the nipple–areola complex (letter). Plast Reconstr Surg 68:453, 1981

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Rohrich RJ, Gosman AA, Brown SA, Tonadapu P, Foster B: Current preferences for breast reduction techniques: A survey of board-certified plastic surgeons 2002. Plast Reconstr Surg 114:1724, 2004

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  35. Sandsmark M, Amland PF, Abyholm F, Traaholt L: Reduction mammaplasty: A comparative study of the Orlando and Robbins methods in 292 patients. Scand J Plast Reconstr Surg Hand Surg 26:203, 1992

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Sarhadi NS, Shaw Dunn J, Lee FD, Soutar DS: An anatomical study of the nerve supply of the breast, including the nipple and areola. Br J Plast Surg 49:156, 1996

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Schlenz I, Kuzbari R, Gruber H, Holle J: The sensitivity of the nipple–areola complex: An anatomic study. Plast Reconstr Surg 105:905, 2000

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Schlenz I, Rigel S, Schemper M, Kuzbari R: Alteration of nipple and areola sensitivity by reduction mammaplasty: A prospective comparison of five techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:743, 2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Strauch B, Elkowitz M, Baum T, Herman C: Superolateral pedicle for breast surgery: An operation for all reasons. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1269, 2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Temple CL, Hurst LN: Reduction mammaplasty improves breast sensibility. Plast Reconst Surg 104:72, 1999

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Wagner DS, Alfonso DR: The influence of obesity and volume of resection on success in reduction mammaplasty: An outcome study. Plast Reconstr Surg 115:1034, 2005

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgment

We thank Professor J. Massaut for his help in the statistical evaluation.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Albert De Mey M.D..

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Azzam, C., De Mey, A. Vertical Scar Mammaplasty in Gigantomastia: Retrospective Study of 115 Patients Treated Using the Modified Lejour Technique. Aesth Plast Surg 31, 294–298 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-006-0227-0

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-006-0227-0

Keywords

Navigation