Reduction mammaplasty and correction of ptosis: a personal technique

New upper pedicle reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy techniques are presented. The surgical steps are described point by point. An analysis is made of the results obtained in 25 patients who underwent surgery between November of 1987 and November of 1988 and were examined in December of 1990 with a mean follow-up of 31.5 months. An assessment was made of the postoperative ptosis, which was minimal in 76 percent of patients. The overall assessment of breasts was satisfactory (good mammary morphology and a correct position of the nipple-areola complex). Nipple-areola complex sensitivity was unchanged in 80 percent of patients. Good-quality inframammary scars were observed in 92 percent of patients, with scar length never exceeding 4 cm. The overall complication rate was 32 percent, but only 12 percent were major complications. The technique presented is excellent when the quantity of glandular tissue to be removed is less than 400 gm, and it is not therefore recommended for gigantomasties.