Dermal suspension flap in vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty

Reduction mammaplasty has the following goals: appropriate reduction of breast size, symmetric and youthful breast shape, minimal and inconspicuous scars, and stable, long-term results. Although the first two parameters can be obtained by various reduction techniques, vertical-scar mammaplasty eliminates the horizontal inframammary scar, thereby reducing total scar length. Dermal flaps have been described in various types of reduction mammaplasty. The refinement of the authors' method is the incorporation of a superiorly pedicled dermal flap for better and longer-lasting support in vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty. A total of 73 vertical breast reductions in 38 patients were performed with this technique from May of 1996 to November of 1999. Vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty with a dermal suspension flap combines minimal scars with an internal support for long-term stability of the breast shape.