The Inframammary Fold Effacement Flap for Strong Fold Breast Augmentation Patients

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery
• Breast Augmentation

Background:

• Short inframammary fold (IMF) to nipple distance is common in breast augmentation patients.
• A "strong" IMF may not efface with arm elevation, posing aesthetic challenges.
• Failure to address a strong IMF can lead to lower pole complications like bottoming out or double bubble deformity.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel surgical technique for effacing the native IMF in patients with a short nipple-to-IMF distance.
• To provide additional lower pole support for breast implants.
• To prevent aesthetic deformities such as double bubble.

Main Methods:

• The "IMF effacement flap" technique involves a superiorly based adipofascial flap.
• Dissection of a 1-2cm thick flap from superficial fascia and underlying tissue.
• Securing the flap with a 3-point suture to anchor the new IMF and combining with intradermal fat grafting.

Main Results:

• The technique effectively obliterates the native IMF.
• The flap provides enhanced lower pole support for the breast implant.
• Successful mitigation of double bubble deformity and improved aesthetic outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The IMF effacement flap is a valuable technique for managing short nipple-to-IMF distances in breast augmentation.
• This method effectively prevents lower pole deformities by obliterating the native IMF.
• The technique offers a reliable solution for achieving aesthetic results in challenging breast augmentation cases.