Retro-Areola Distally Based Flap in the Management of the Full Expression of Tuberous Breast: A Simple Strategy to Resolve a Weak Point of the Deformity

Abstract

Background

Tuberous breast is a rare congenital deformity which is likely to appear in various clinical forms, the worst being characterized by severe hypoplasia. This clinical expression may represent one of the greatest challenges in breast surgery due to malformation memories that restrict the reshaping of the mammary cone that would not otherwise be solved through a simple breast augmentation. To improve the quality of the final results correction of the tuberous aspect often requires the use of adipo-glandular flaps frequently described in the literature to reconstruct the inferior mammary pole which works efficiently, even though a typical depression often remains between the inferior border of the areola and the closer skin to recall the memory of the tuberous aspect.

Methods

Between September 2006 and March 2014, 71 patients with tuberous breasts underwent surgical procedures to repair the deformities. The mean patient age was 18.6 years (ranging between 17 and 23). A periareolar approach, adipo-glandular flaps, and dual plane subpectoral breast implant placements were used in all the cases. All the procedures were performed in a single stage under local anesthesia plus sedation.

Results

Follow-up ranged from 6 months to 6 years.

Conclusion

The authors propose the use of a retro-areola glandular flap to resolve the typical residual depression of the final mammary aspect thus to overcome the malformation completely.

Level of Evidence V

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 the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.