"Post Bariatric Male Chest Re-shaping Using L-shaped Excision Technique"

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Body Contouring

Background:

• Male chest deformity post-massive weight loss presents challenges due to ptosis, skin laxity, and malposition.
• Standard techniques for large breasts with poor skin elasticity include inferior pedicle Wise pattern and free nipple graft.
• Prominent axillary rolls often accompany chest deformities, requiring concurrent correction.

Observation:

• Fifty-five male patients (ages 20-57) underwent L-shaped mastectomy for chest re-contouring between March 2017 and December 2020.
• Average follow-up was 17 months, with patients exhibiting an average body mass index of 29.
• The L-shaped excision technique was employed to address complex chest deformities and prominent axillary rolls.

Findings:

• Over 92% of patients reported high postoperative satisfaction with the L-shaped mastectomy results.
• Complications were minimal, including two cases of minor ischemia, two hematomas, two seromas, and four hypertrophic scars.
• The L-shaped technique demonstrated efficacy in correcting severe gynecomastia with atypical chest deformities and axillary rolls.

Implications:

• The L-shaped excision is a valuable surgical option for complex male chest deformities following significant weight loss.
• The procedure is associated with a low complication rate, manageable in an outpatient setting.
• Preservation of nipple-areolar complex pigmentation and sensitivity is a key advantage of this technique.