Muscle-Splitting Transaxillary Revision Breast Augmentation—A Single Surgeon’s Experience

Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (2021)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Well discussed in a previous article published by the senior author, primary transaxillary breast augmentation drawbacks include the need to correct complications arising from reuse of the axillary incision which the literature is sparse on. We here discuss a technique in patients who underwent a secondary transaxillary breast augmentation procedure.

Objectives

This study aims to present a technique for transaxillary revision breast augmentation with conversion to a muscle-splitting plane which has the advantage of good upper and medial pole coverage and adequate lower pole expansion.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of 41 women with previous silicone gel implants placed through a transaxillary incision who presented with rippling or a desire for larger implants (January 2016–July 2020). Inclusion criteria were age 18 years or older and having undergone breast augmentation surgery. Exclusion criteria were active smoking and body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2. At one year postoperatively patients were asked a “yes or no” question regarding satisfaction with the overall result and with the scar quality.

Results

A total of 41 patients were included in this study; no patients were excluded. The patients’ age ranged from 32 to 47 years, the average being 38 years old. All participants were female. Mean BMI was 21.9 kg/m2 and all patients had a pinch test <2cm. Indications for surgery included rippling (all patients) and a desire for larger implant size (n = 5). Size of new implants ranged from 325cc to 430cc; all were of a larger size than those used in the primary surgery. Operative time was on average 53 min. [4483 min.]. Mean follow-up was 13 months, ranging from 12 to 15 months. There was no additional cost related to operative time. Regarding patient satisfaction, 100% replied they were pleased with the overall results and scar quality. There were no major complications.

Conclusion

The transaxillary approach for muscle splitting breast augmentation revision surgery offers a safe and reproducible technique. Despite having a mean follow-up of only 13 months, we demonstrate a low rate of complication as well as high degree of patient satisfaction with no extra cost when compared to other techniques.

Level of Evidence IV

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Author information

Affiliations

  1. Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery, Rua Gomes Jardim, Medplex - North Tower, 201 - Suite 612, Porto Alegre, RS, 90620-130, Brazil

    Rubem Lang Stümpfle

  2. Hospital São Lucas, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

    Pedro Salomão Piccinini

  3. Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil

    Eduardo Madalosso Zanin

Authors
  1. Rubem Lang Stümpfle
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  2. Pedro Salomão Piccinini
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  3. Eduardo Madalosso Zanin
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Eduardo Madalosso Zanin.

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Human and Animal Participants

The research followed the Helsinki principles for Research in Human Subjects and Subsequent Amendments.

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All patients gave written informed consent for surgery, participation in the study and publication of photos.

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Supplementary information

Surgical technique for transaxillary revision of a 29-year-old woman with previous 195cc subglandular polyurethane implants, with grade 2 capsular contracture and a desire for larger breast size.

Supplementary file 1

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Stümpfle, R.L., Piccinini, P.S. & Zanin, E.M. Muscle-Splitting Transaxillary Revision Breast Augmentation—A Single Surgeon’s Experience. Aesth Plast Surg (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02179-6

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Keywords

  • Breast
  • Breast augmentation
  • Hypomastia
  • Transaxillary breast augmentation
  • Silicone