Correction of gynecomastia through a single puncture incision.

In men, the development of feminized breasts may cause significant emotional distress and embarrassment, particularly in young men and adolescents. Unfortunately, gynecomastia responds poorly to diet and exercise, and conventional corrective surgery may produce large stigmatizing areolar or chest scars and a flattened or concave chest. In 2004, board-certified plastic surgeons performed 16,275 corrective procedures, and in 2005 there was a 17% increase, according to The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) procedural statistics. This report describes a surgical approach for removal of both glandular and adipose tissue using a small 3-mm areolar stab wound incision and a piecemeal glandular resection to correct gynecomastia with minimal and imperceptible external scarring. Pectoral etching of the chest and suction lipectomy are performed simultaneously to enhance and define the thoracic musculature and further virilize the upper thorax. Excellent results have been obtained with minimal complications. The authors present their experience with more than 200 consecutive cases over the past 4 years. They are very optimistic with these results because they have obtained a high degree of patient satisfaction.