Augmentation, Mastopexy, and Augmentation-Mastopexy: Navigating Surgical Decision-Making and Optimizing Outcomes

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Aesthetic Surgery

Background:

• Breast augmentation, mastopexy, and combined procedures are common esthetic breast surgeries.
• Achieving optimal outcomes is challenging due to patient anatomy, surgical technique, and competing goals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize current approaches to preoperative planning, operative decision-making, and complication management for esthetic breast procedures.
• To provide an evidence-based guide for optimizing outcomes in breast augmentation, mastopexy, and augmentation-mastopexy.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of current literature and techniques in esthetic breast surgery.
• Analysis of factors influencing outcomes, including patient assessment, surgical techniques, and complication management.

Main Results:

• Preoperative assessment of breast dimensions, tissue characteristics, ptosis, and aesthetic goals is crucial.
• Augmentation requires careful consideration of incision, implant, and pocket plane.
• Mastopexy technique selection depends on ptosis severity and tissue quality.
• Combined augmentation-mastopexy presents unique challenges, necessitating careful patient selection and techniques for implant stability.
• Common complications include infection, capsular contracture, malposition, wound healing issues, and aesthetic deformities.

Conclusions:

• Optimizing outcomes in esthetic breast surgery demands a patient-centered approach integrating anatomic assessment, evidence-based techniques, and meticulous execution.
• Individualized planning is essential, especially for massive weight loss patients and gender-affirming surgery.