Pectoralis major ruptures postsuction lipectomy for surgical management of gynecomastia

Over the last decade, suction-assisted lipoplasty has been shown to be a safe and reliable procedure in the hands of trained individuals. A large number of plastic surgeons employ liposuction as an adjunct to surgery for gynecomastia with excellent results and low morbidity. An unusual problem, traumatic rupture of the pectoralis major muscle, has been observed by us in a patient who had undergone the procedure. The physical deficit arising from the injury may go unnoticed in all but the most physically active people, and surgeons should be wary of the possibility of this previously unreported complication.