Unsatisfactory results in augmentation mammoplasty: Chest and breast asymmetry

Mild to moderate and at times, rather severe forms of asymmetry are overlooked preoperatively by the patient and even at times, by the physician. Preoperative awareness of breast and chest asymmetry is important in proper planning for surgery in order to gain maximum balance. Awareness of the asymmetries that may exist also enables a physician to be more realistic in stating limitations of the expected results from surgery.Unsatisfactory results, noted postoperatively, can usually be related to the anatomy evident preoperatively. Unsatisfactory results are, at times, unavoidable, but when they occur unexpectedly, one must ask if it is the breast or the chest that is at fault. The proper selection of procedure, the proper selection or variance of implants for augmentation, and the proper placement, often times in irregular fashion, of implant materials are essential for good results. A plea is made for more detailed attention to the preoperative anatomy of the breast and the thoracic cage and for better planning in augmentation surgery.