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Suspensory Ligament of the Mammary Gland: A Case Report

  • Case Report
  • Breast
  • Published:
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Abstract

Background

The ligamentous system of the breast comprises a deep component, connecting the breast to the chest wall, and a superficial component, attached to the dermis and defining the breast contour.

Methods

A female patient with a family history of breast and ovarian cancer and presenting a bilateral fibrocystic mastopathy was submitted to surgical treatment with bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy and immediate reconstruction with implants.

Results

Intra-operatively, a strong ligament between the clavicle and the upper pole of the breast was identified. In addition, there was bilateral absence of the suspensory ligament of the axilla.

Conclusions

Variations on the anatomy of the ligamentous system of the breast can represent alterations during the embryonic development of the breast and may have an important impact in the development of breast ptosis.

Level of Evidence V

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Correspondence to Diana Costa Santos.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest. They also have no source of financial or material support.

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Santos, D.C., Cardoso, A., Martins, J.M. et al. Suspensory Ligament of the Mammary Gland: A Case Report. Aesth Plast Surg 40, 98–101 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0589-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-015-0589-2

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