Familial congenital symmastia: Ultrastructurally abnormal breast tissue

Abstract

Reports about congenital symmastia and its surgical treatment are few. We report two patients – a mother and daughter – with congenital symmastia in whom breast and fatty tissue was found to be mobile adhering poorly to the chest wall. Although histological examination showed no abnormality of the tissue bridge between the breasts, ultrastructural investigation of breast tissue (including Cooper's ligaments) showed an abnormal arrangement of collagen fibres. Satisfying aesthetic results were achieved by resection of excess soft tissue in the cleavage area through a submammary incision and fixation of the skin with subcutaneous interrupted sutures to the sternal periosteum.

• Symmastia
• congenital
• familial
• surgical correction
• submammary approach
• Cooper's ligaments