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Superiomedial Pedicle Breast Reduction for Gigantic Breast Hypertrophy: Experience in 341 Breasts and Suggested Safety Modifications

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  • Breast Surgery
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A Correction to this article was published on 02 June 2022

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Abstract

Background

Reduction mammoplasty in patients with gigantic breast hypertrophy runs a high risk of complication. Traditionally, inferior pedicle reductions or free nipple grafting techniques have been recommended for gigantic breasts on the basis of measurements and expected resection weights. The superiomedial pedicle (SMP) technique has been less commonly used, due to concerns of vascular inadequacy. This study examines the outcomes of SMP in large reductions and outlines suggested modifications for enhanced safety.

Methods

This is a retrospective review of all patients who underwent SMP breast reduction in our institution between 2005 and 2016. Included are cases with resection weights greater than 800 g.

Results

A total of 173 patients with 341 breasts were included. Mean sternal notch to nipple (SNN) distance was mean 35.0 ± 6.6 cm (range 23–44.5) on the left and 34.9 ± 6.6 cm (range 18–46) on the right. Mean resection weight was 1152.2 ± 368.6 g (range 810–2926) on the left and 1159.4 ± 326.6 g (range 800–2528) on the right. The total complication rate was 22.7%. Minor complications occurred in 63 (18.6%) breasts. Major complications occurred in 12 (4.1%) breasts. NAC congestion and partial necrosis occurred in 1.8% and total NAC necrosis in 0.9%.

Conclusion

The SMP reduction technique is a safe option for gigantic breast reduction with comparable complication rates to other techniques. Preoperative measurements or resection weights are not reliable risk factors alone. High tissue density may be a significant risk factor. High-risk breasts mandate surgical planning and should be tailored to include technical modifications as described.

Level of Evidence IV

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

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank the members of our department for their support during this manuscript preparation. We also would like to thank the department of graphic design in our institution for the help of illustration preparation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Roei Singolda, Gal Bracha, Tariq Zoabi, Arik Zaretski, Amir Inbal, Eyal Gur, Yoav Barnea & Ehud Arad

  2. Department of Plastic Surgery, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizmann St., 6423906, Tel-Aviv, Israel

    Roei Singolda

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  1. Roei Singolda
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Correspondence to Roei Singolda.

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This article was updated to correct the order of the authors’ family and given names.

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Singolda, R., Bracha, G., Zoabi, T. et al. Superiomedial Pedicle Breast Reduction for Gigantic Breast Hypertrophy: Experience in 341 Breasts and Suggested Safety Modifications. Aesth Plast Surg 45, 375–385 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-020-01973-y

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