High grade gynecomastia: surgical correction and potential impact on erectile function

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Male Reproductive Health
• Psychodermatology

Background:

• Gynecomastia, or benign male breast enlargement, can cause significant psychological distress and social embarrassment.
• High-grade gynecomastia often necessitates extensive surgical intervention, potentially leading to undesirable scarring.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and cosmetic outcomes of a no-vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty technique for high-grade male gynecomastia.
• To assess the impact of gynecomastia and its surgical correction on male erectile function.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen male patients with gynecomastia underwent breast reduction using the
• no vertical scar reduction mammaplasty
• technique.
• Erectile function was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) before and after surgical intervention.

Main Results:

• The no-vertical-scar technique yielded high patient satisfaction with minimal, manageable complications.
• Preoperative IIEF scores indicated erectile dysfunction in 11 of 15 patients.
• Postoperative IIEF scores showed statistically significant improvement, with 10 patients experiencing enhanced erectile function.

Conclusions:

• The no-vertical-scar reduction mammaplasty is a safe and effective technique for managing high-grade gynecomastia, offering cosmetic advantages by avoiding vertical scars.
• Gynecomastia can negatively impact self-confidence and body image, potentially affecting erectile function.
• Surgical correction of gynecomastia may lead to improvements in erectile function, suggesting a link between body image and sexual health.