Asymmetrical Breasts Associated with Chest Deformities

Abstract

Congenital breast asymmetry is a very common deformity and is sometimes combined with chest abnormalities. Such associated deformities may occur in females and males. Aesthetic treatment of breast asymmetry is a frequent operation in plastic surgery, but correction of chest deformity is quite rare. Nevertheless, among chest surgeons and heart surgeons it is more frequent because of the interrelation between heart and lung disturbances. Usually, it is recommended to wait until after puberty to carry out surgical treatment, but often the problem originates in infancy. It is classified into congenital and acquired types. Congenital deformities of the chest may present with or without abnormalities of the breasts or with asymmetry of the nipple–areola region in children. Acquired deformities can have traumatic or iatrogenic causes.

Clinical evaluation and surgical planning are important steps to carry out before operation. In adult patients, deformities of the breasts may be treated according to each case. Currently, correction of the chest requires specific surgical planning, which may be performed in combination with that for breast surgery.