Principles of Aesthetic Breast Revision Surgery

After reviewing this article, the reader should be able to: 1. Understand the indications for and principles of aesthetic breast revision surgery. 2. Describe surgical techniques to improve outcomes in reoperative breast augmentation. 3. Plan a surgical approach and execute the critical steps. 4. Recognize common implant and soft-tissue complications and have a basic understanding of their management. 5. Be aware of emerging adjunctive techniques, such as fat grafting, muscular support, and new implant technologies.

Aesthetic breast revision surgery is a complex procedure that remains a central component of plastic surgery practice. Careful preoperative planning, associated with selection of the appropriate technique, can lead to predictable outcomes. An up-to-date understanding of contemporary surgical techniques may prevent complications, and preoperative discussion can prevent common misunderstandings and challenges inherent to the reoperative procedure. This evidence-based article reviews how the main techniques have evolved to best address patient goals and attain positive aesthetic outcomes and addresses controversies and knowledge gaps using clinical experience and a review of the current literature.