Ultrasonographically determined pedicled breast reduction in severe gigantomastia.

BACKGROUND

The free nipple breast reduction method has certain disadvantages, such as nipple hyposensitivity, loss of lactation, and loss of projection. To eliminate these risks, the authors describe a patient-based breast reduction technique in which the major supplier vessels of the nipple-areola complex were determined by color Doppler ultrasonography. Pedicles containing these vessels were designed for reductions.

METHODS

Sixteen severe gigantomastia patients with a mean age of 41 years (range, 23 to 60 years) were included in the study. Major nipple-areola complex perforators were determined with 13- to 5-MHz linear probe Doppler ultrasonography before surgery. Pedicles were designed according to the vessel locations, and reductions were performed with superomedial-, superolateral-, or mediolateral-based designs.

RESULTS

Different combinations of internal mammary and lateral thoracic artery perforator-based reductions were achieved. None of the patients had areola necrosis. Mean reduction weight was 1795 g (range, 1320 to 2280) per breast.

CONCLUSIONS

Instead of using standard markings for severe gigantomastia patients, custom-made and sonographically determined pedicles were used. This technique can be considered as a "guide" for the surgeon during very large breast reductions.