Reduction of the opposite breast in patients with a breast reconstructed with an implant: Validity of the inverted “T”, superior pedicle technique, with an inferiorly-based dermal adipose flap

Abstract

We reviewed 28 cases of breasts reconstructed with implants and reduction mammaplasty on the other side for symmetry, with the aim of assessing the stability and aesthetic result in the reduced breasts five years postoperatively. An inverted "T", superior pedicle technique, with an inferiorly-based dermal adipose flap was used in patients who did not have overstretched Cooper's ligaments. At the 5-year follow-up, the sternal notch-to-nipple and inframammary fold-to-nipple distances were measured and the degree of ptosis was evaluated (Regnault's classification). The patients recorded their satisfaction using a verbal numerical rating scale (1–5). The patients' photographs were also sent to 12 plastic surgeons for aesthetic assessment of the reduced breasts (same verbal numerical rating scale). The comparison of the preoperative and postoperative measurements and degrees of ptosis showed reasonable stability at least during a 5-year period. The patients' mean rating of the aesthetic result was 4.3, more than good, and the surgeons' mean rating was 3.4, more than satisfactory.

Key Words::

• Contralateral breast reduction
• implant breast reconstruction
• inverted “T” mammaplasty
• superior pedicle technique
• inferiorly based dermal adipose flap
• stability of breast reduction