[Gynecomastia treated by subcutaneous mastectomy using Webster's method]

Gynecomastia was treated surgically by Webster's method in 23 patients during the period from 1983 to 1989. This surgical procedure was used if gynecomastia was classified from stage 1 to stage 2B. Cosmetic reasons were the major reasons for operation in 70% of the patients. The most common late postoperative sequelae were inverted areolae and hypaesthesiae of the areolar region. When operation was carried out, half of the patients were overweight. The remainder were of normal weight. Among the patients, who were overweight time of operation, 2/3 found that the cosmetic correction was unsatisfactory. In the "normal weight group" 2/3 were satisfied with the cosmetic result. The patients in the dissatisfied group found that too little tissue had been removed from the area. The operation is carried out through a little infraareolar incision. Because of this, it is technically difficult, especially in patients with considerable subcutaneous tissue. On this background, we find that Webster's method alone, not should be used as surgical treatment of gynecomastia in overweight patients.