Breast Surgery

surgery

What is cosmetic breast surgery?

The aim of cosmetic breast surgery is to create beautiful and symmetrical breasts. What defines a beautiful breast shape depends on the individual patient’s body stature and what she considers attractive, as well as her particular cultural concepts of beauty.

What are cosmetic breast surgeries?

  • Breast augmentation: Increase in the size of the breasts.
  • Fat grafting.
  • Mastopexy: Firming of the breasts.
  • Reduction Mammaplasty: Reduction in the size of large breasts.
  • Breast reconstruction: Usually done after breast cancer surgery.

Breast Augmentation

Augmentation is a procedure to increase the size of the breasts. This can be done with:

1. Autologous tissue like fat grafting
2. Breast Implants.

Breast Implants

All implants on the market today are made of two separate components: an outer silicon shell and an inner filling that can be of Saline or Silicone.

What are shapes of Implant?

Breast implants may be round or anatomical in shape. The newest generation of implants – the cohesive silicon gel implant – promises increased gel integrity and a more natural appearance.

What are the approaches for breast agumentation?

  • Inframammary.
  • Sub-areolar (Trans-nipple).
  • Transaxillary.
  • Periumbilical.

Commonly, dual-plane breast augmentation is done in which the implant is placed under both muscle and breast tissue.

Advantages of dual-plane implant placement:

  •  Minimal capsular contracture.
  • Implant is not visible hence no rippling.
  • No alteration in normal breast function such as breastfeeding.

What are complications?

The most common complication is capsular contracture. Other complications include:

  • Implant malposition
  • Asymentry
  • Infection and implant removal.

Indications

  • Augmentation of the breast in patients with small breasts, tuberous breast, or Poland syndrome, or when the patient refuses silicone implants.
  • Correction of breast contour deformity or asymmetry after removal of breast implant or breast lumpectomy or after reconstructive surgery.
  • Creation of a thick envelope of breast tissue after placement of silicon implant.

The most common donor sites are:

1) Abdomen.
2) Thigh.

Procedure:

The procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia. Fat is aspirated manually with a liposuction cannula attached to a syringe or vacuum pump. The liposuctioned fat is washed with 0.9% normal saline solution, followed by centrifugation at 1000 rpm for 2 minutes. Then this purified fat is injected into the breast.

Mastopexy

Mastopexy is aesthetic breast surgery in which the breast is lifted and reshaped without increasing the size of the breast to look aesthetically pleasing and more youthful. In modern mastopexy, restoration of upper pole fullness with possible parenchyma rearrangement can be an essential part of the procedure, even without implant augmentation.

Why breast reconstruction

 

The presence of breasts is a defining feature of adult mammalian gender. Therefore, it must be considered an essential element of human femininity, and the role it plays in female psychology cannot be understated. Hence, breast reconstruction is almost exclusively consequent to surgery for breast cancer.

What are the aims of breast reconstruction?

Creating a symmetrical ptotic conus precisely positioned on the breast footprint embodies the art of breast reconstructive sculpture. The ultimate goal of breast reconstruction is to create symmetrical, natural-looking breasts and not necessarily a specific shape or volume.

Indications for breast reconstruction:

  • Mastectomy for breast cancer.
  • Development of breast conservative surgery for breast cancer.

What is Cosmetic Breast Surgery?

Cosmetic breast surgery encompasses a range of procedures aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the breasts. The goal is to create beautiful and symmetrical breasts that align with the individual patient’s body stature and personal preferences, as well as her cultural concepts of beauty. Each patient has unique desires and expectations, making cosmetic breast surgery a highly personalized field.

Types of Cosmetic Breast Surgeries

  1. Breast Augmentation: This procedure increases the size of the breasts using implants or fat grafting.
  2. Fat Grafting: Fat is harvested from other parts of the body and injected into the breasts to enhance their size and shape.
  3. Mastopexy (Breast Lift): This surgery lifts and firms the breasts, often restoring a youthful appearance.
  4. Reduction Mammaplasty (Breast Reduction): This procedure reduces the size of overly large breasts to alleviate physical discomfort and improve aesthetic proportions.
  5. Breast Reconstruction: Typically performed after breast cancer surgery to restore the breast’s appearance.

Breast Augmentation

Breast augmentation is one of the most popular cosmetic procedures, designed to increase the size of the breasts. This can be achieved through two main methods: using autologous tissue like fat grafting or breast implants.

Breast Implants

Modern breast implants consist of two components: an outer silicon shell and an inner filling that can be either saline or silicone. The choice between saline and silicone implants depends on patient preference, surgeon recommendation, and desired aesthetic outcomes.

Shapes of Implants

Implants come in two primary shapes: round and anatomical (teardrop). Round implants generally provide more fullness at the top of the breast, while anatomical implants mimic the natural slope of the breast, offering a more natural look. The latest generation of cohesive silicone gel implants promises increased gel integrity, providing a more natural appearance and feel.

Approaches for Breast Augmentation

Several surgical approaches can be employed to insert the implants:

  1. Inframammary: Incision made under the breast fold.
  2. Sub-areolar (Trans-nipple): Incision around the areola.
  3. Transaxillary: Incision in the armpit.
  4. Periumbilical: Incision around the navel.

A commonly used technique is dual-plane breast augmentation, where the implant is placed partially under the pectoral muscle and partially under the breast tissue.

Advantages of Dual-Plane Implant Placement

– Minimal Capsular Contracture: Reduces the risk of hardening around the implant.

– Invisible Implant: Reduces the likelihood of visible rippling.

– Unaltered Breast Function: Preserves the ability to breastfeed.

Complications of Breast Augmentation

While generally safe, breast augmentation can lead to complications, the most common being capsular contracture, where scar tissue forms around the implant, causing it to harden. Other complications include:

 

– Implant Malposition: Displacement of the implant.

– Asymmetry: Uneven breast size or shape.

– Infection: May require implant removal.

Indications for Breast Augmentation

– Small Breasts: Enhancing size in naturally small breasts.

– Tuberous Breast: Correcting the shape and size.

– Poland Syndrome: Addressing underdeveloped chest muscles and breast tissue.

– Post-Implant Removal: Restoring shape after implant removal or breast lumpectomy.

– Breast Contour Correction: Improving symmetry and contour.

Fat Grafting

Fat grafting involves harvesting fat from donor sites such as the abdomen or thighs, purifying it, and injecting it into the breasts. This procedure is performed under general or regional anesthesia.

Procedure:

  1. Fat Harvesting: Fat is aspirated using a liposuction cannula attached to a syringe or vacuum pump.
  2. Purification: The fat is washed with saline and centrifuged.
  3. Injection: Purified fat is injected into the breast.

Mastopexy (Breast Lift)

Mastopexy is a procedure to lift and reshape the breasts without increasing their size. It aims to make the breasts look aesthetically pleasing and youthful. Modern mastopexy techniques often involve rearranging the breast parenchyma to restore upper pole fullness, which can be done with or without implants.

Breast Reconstruction

Breast reconstruction is a specialized form of cosmetic breast surgery performed to restore the appearance of the breast following mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery for cancer. It plays a crucial role in helping women regain their sense of femininity and psychological well-being.

 

Aims of Breast Reconstruction

 

The primary goal is to create symmetrical, natural-looking breasts. This involves sculpting a ptotic conus (the natural drooping shape of a mature breast) that fits precisely on the breast footprint.

 

Indications for Breast Reconstruction

 

– Mastectomy for Breast Cancer: Most common indication, aiming to restore the breast after removal due to cancer.

– Breast Conservative Surgery: Restoring symmetry and shape after lumpectomy or other breast-conserving procedures.

Conclusion

Cosmetic breast surgery is a diverse and personalized field aimed at enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the breasts. Whether the goal is augmentation, reduction, lifting, or reconstruction, each procedure is tailored to meet the individual needs and preferences of the patient. The advancements in surgical techniques and implant technology continue to improve the safety and outcomes of these procedures, helping women achieve their desired breast appearance and boosting their confidence and quality of life.

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