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Vertical Scar Versus Inverted-T Scar Reduction Mammaplasty: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

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  • Breast Surgery
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Abstract

Background

Women with macromastia experienced constitutional and psychosocial symptoms which could be improved by vertical scar or Inverted-T scar reduction mammaplasty. The authors conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis in an attempt to declare the differences of the vertical scar versus the Inverted-T scar reduction technique by comparing the postoperative complications and aesthetic effects.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases for clinical studies were searched through June 30, 2019. Cumulative analysis was conducted using the Review Manager Version 5.3 software. The summary odds ratio (OR) was estimated using random effect models at 95% confidence intervals (CIs), statistical heterogeneity was tested using the Chi-square test and risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Handbook 5.1.0 and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS).

Results

Two randomized controlled trials (RCT) and nine observational comparative studies were included. The vertical scar method was significantly lower than the Inverted-T scar method in overall incidence of complications (OR: 2.06; 95%CI, 1.15 to 3.70; P: 0.002) and wound dehiscence (OR: 4.62; 95%CI, 2.33 to 9.16; P<0.00001). No significant differences in seroma, hematoma, nipple necrosis, fat necrosis and reoperation were noted.

Conclusions

Both two breast reduction techniques are equally safe, while the vertical scar approach resulted in a statistically lower rate of overall complications and wound dehiscence.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine Ratings, please refer to Table of Contents or online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

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Acknowledgement

This study was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2019YFA0110500) and National Nature Science Foundation of China (No.81701922 and No.81873941).

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Author notes

  1. Zhipeng Li and Bei Qian these two authors contributed equally to this work and they were considered co-first authors. J.m.S. and K.G were the correspondent authors.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic Surgery, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 1277 Jiefang Avenue, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Zhipeng Li, Bei Qian, Zhenxing Wang, Jian Liu, Bin Wang, Ke Guo & Jiaming Sun

  2. Wuhan Clinical Research Center for Superficial Organ Reconstruction, Wuhan, 430022, China

    Zhipeng Li, Bei Qian, Zhenxing Wang, Jian Liu, Bin Wang, Ke Guo & Jiaming Sun

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  1. Zhipeng Li
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Correspondence to Ke Guo or Jiaming Sun.

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Li, Z., Qian, B., Wang, Z. et al. Vertical Scar Versus Inverted-T Scar Reduction Mammaplasty: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review. Aesth Plast Surg 45, 1385–1396 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02167-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-021-02167-w

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