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Auto-Augmentation Mastopexy: Inferiorly Based Parenchymal Flap Technique and Evaluation of Outcomes Using BREAST-Q After 151 Consecutive Patients

  • Original Article
  • Breast Surgery
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Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Mastopexy is one of the most performed annual plastic surgery procedures; hence, various techniques are described over the last decades. It varies from simple skin incisions to internally shaped pedicle designs. In this study, the authors present their modified auto-augmentation mastopexy technique and the resulting patient satisfaction.

Patients and Methods

For this retrospectively conducted study, 151 female patients were included. The average age was 40.6 years (range, 27–72 years). All patients underwent auto-augmentation mastopexy which is a combination of a superior pedicle for the nipple-areola complex and an inferiorly based soft-tissue flap which is shaped like an implant. Additionally, the BREAST-Q for Reduction/Mastopexy was used to analyze patient-reported satisfaction and quality of life after mastopexy.

Results

All breast corrections were successfully performed. General complication rate was 9%, and no major complication was observed. In two patients, local surgical revision due to hypertrophic scarring and nipple asymmetry was necessary. Analysed surveys of the BREAST-Q showed statistically significantly improved results.

Conclusion

Depending on the breast-shape and the grade of ptosis, the selection of mastopexy technique is crucial. Our described mastopexy procedure is a safe and easily reproducible technique for almost all shapes of ptotic breasts which fulfill patient desires as well as aesthetic satisfaction and quality of life.

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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Abbreviations

ASAPS:

Aesthetic plastic surgery

NAC:

Nipple-areola complex

IMF:

Inframammary fold

n :

Number of patients

SD:

Standard deviation

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Funding

None of the authors has a financial interest in any of the products, devices, or drugs mentioned in this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Section of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of General Surgery, Kepler University Hospital, Krankenhausstrasse 9, 4020, Linz, Austria

    Maximilian Zaussinger, Raphael Wenny & Georg M. Huemer

  2. Medical Faculty, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Altenbergerstr 69, 4040, Linz, Austria

    Maximilian Zaussinger, Raphael Wenny & Georg M. Huemer

Authors
  1. Maximilian Zaussinger
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  2. Raphael Wenny
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  3. Georg M. Huemer
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Correspondence to Maximilian Zaussinger or Georg M. Huemer.

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The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

Informed Consent

Written and verbal informed consent was obtained from all patients.

Ethical Approval

This study was in accordance with the local ethical standards and with the Helsinki Declaration for Ethical Treatment of Human Subjects.

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Video 1. Demonstrating the key-steps of this auto-augmentation mastopexy approach. (MOV 192631 KB)

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Zaussinger, M., Wenny, R. & Huemer, G.M. Auto-Augmentation Mastopexy: Inferiorly Based Parenchymal Flap Technique and Evaluation of Outcomes Using BREAST-Q After 151 Consecutive Patients. Aesth Plast Surg 46, 2723–2732 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-02868-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-02868-w

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