Outcome Study: Periareolar Mammaplasty Patients' Perspective

Abstract

Residual scars on occasion compromise patient satisfaction with breast reduction procedures. Periareolar breast reduction was proposed to minimize the scarring produced by the operation. This technique was criticized predominantly for producing a breast with low projection, for recurrence of ptosis after surgery, and for widening of the periareolar scar. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient satisfaction from this technique. In the first branch of the study, 11 patients who had periareolar or circumareolar breast reduction were compared with 13 patients who had vertical scar reduction mammaplasty. The groups were matched for patient's age, size of reduction, and follow-up period. The patients were contacted by phone and requested to comment on four aspects of their operation: breast size, symmetry, quality of scars, and appearance and position of the nipple-areola complex. The replies were converted to numerical values and analyzed statistically. A panel of three women, prospective patients for breast reduction, were presented with standardized five-view before-and-after photographs and requested to score the results using the same criteria. Their responses were analyzed in the same manner. Both phases of the study produced similar results. Breast reduction done through a periareolar scar scored higher than a vertical scar technique. The operation did not differ with respect to shape, symmetry, or nipple-areola shape but did with respect to dissatisfaction with scars, which affected the overall result. This experimental model of assessing results of cosmetic operations is proposed as a tool to assess the patient's rather than the surgeon's perspective of a surgical technique, and it could find application in assessing other cosmetic operations.

Transaxillary endoscopic excision of benign breast lumps: a new technique

“…Breast scars also are painful during future lactation [12]. Breast scars have a tendency to widen [5] or become hypertrophic [13].…”

“…Dissection all around the BBL was performed with the help of normal laparoscopic hand instruments (Figs. [3][4][5]. Dissection was always performed after an avascular plane had been defined.…”

Oncoplastic Surgery in Japanese Patients with Breast Cancer Close to the Areola: Partial Mastectomy Using Periareolar Mammoplasty: A Case Report

“…In their review, they recommended that a periareolar approach is ideal for tumors close to the areolar (mostly upper pole tumors) in mildly ptotic breasts that would benefit from mastopexy based on Benelli's “round block technique” [18]. According to previous reports on breast periareolar aesthetic surgery, the main advantage of breast periareolar aesthetic surgery is the small residual scar produced around the areola, which is generally less conspicuous than the scars produced by conventional techniques, and the main disadvantage is that this technique cannot be used to correct ptosis or flabbiness of the breast [19–23]. …”

Avaliação dos resultados tardios de mamoplastia redutora pela técnica periareolar

“…Muitas alterações táticas e técnicas foram introduzidas ao longo dos anos 11,12 . O objetivo deste trabalho é registrar os procedimentos que temos aplicado nas mamaplastias periareolares, avaliações sobre a qualidade dos resultados, as intercorrências e as complicações, além do estudo do grau de satisfação das pacientes com pelo menos 10 anos de pós-operatório.…”