Redefining Gynecomastia Surgery: Subtle Changes and Naturalistic Results

Gynecomastia, a benign enlargement of the male breast, is typically treated with liposuction and glandular excision. Traditional techniques preserve a glandular pad beneath the nipple-areola complex (NAC) to prevent deformity but may cause undue nipple prominence. Our refined technique omits gland preservation and employs avulsion through a 1 cm periareolar incision, aiming to minimize bleeding and improve contouring without increasing complications.

To evaluate clinical outcomes of gynecomastia correction using a modified surgical protocol that avoids gland preservation, emphasizes contour aesthetics, and eliminates the need for skin excision.

A retroprospective study of 65 patients (Simon's Grades I-III) treated between 2015 and 2025 was conducted. Out of the 65 cases done, 63 were retrospective with a follow-up period of 12 months and only 2 cases were prospective which was followed up for 4 months. All the procedures throughout the period were done by the same surgeon with uniform preoperative marking, operative steps, and postoperative care. Patient selection criteria, surgical technique, and follow-up protocol remained consistent throughout the study, thereby reducing procedural variability and allowing focused evaluation of the described technical refinements. Outcome assessment was primarily clinical, based on postoperative contour, complication profile, and patient satisfaction during scheduled follow-up visits. All patients underwent circumferential liposuction via a small anterior axillary fold incision, protected with Tegaderm and lignocaine jelly to reduce friction. Glandular tissue was excised via the avulsion method without NAC gland preservation. Additional liposuction was performed along the inframammary crease and upper abdomen; the superior pectoral area was deliberately spared to maintain an athletic contour. In ~ 30% of cases with nipple prominence, concurrent nipple reduction and gland coring were performed. No skin excision was required due to effective skin redraping. Also, no drains were kept for any of our patients. Foam dressing was applied immediate post op which was removed after 24 hours.

Aesthetic outcomes were satisfactory in over 90% of patients. The assessment was performed by clinical means by the operating surgeon for a period of 12 months. No additional tools were utilized. No complications such as areolar depression, hematoma, seroma, infection, or recurrence were noted. Patient satisfaction was high. Minor self-limiting events that happened during post op period were a sharp shooting pain over the areas of liposuction and glandular excision and numbness around the nipple-areola complex. The shooting pain was controlled with adequate analgesia and lasted not more than 2 weeks, whereas the numbness around the nipple-areola complex lasted for about 6 months for which nothing was done as it recovered on its own over 6 months. Since these were self-limiting minor events, they were not considered as complications per se.

This technique offers a reliable, minimal scar alternative for gynecomastia correction. Omitting gland preservation under the NAC and tailoring liposuction zones contribute to superior contouring and reduced recurrence, challenging conventional approaches.

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