مرکز منطقه ای اطلاع رساني علوم و فناوري - Does the symmetry of the breasts continue after breast augmentation?

Abstract :

Aim. Augmentation mammaplasty is one of the most common aesthetic surgical interventions, which proves excellent results that pretend high rate of patient satisfaction. In this study, our main aim was to investigate whether breast symmetry might carry on after augmentation or not. Methods. The study included 21 patients who had hypomastia with or without grade 1 ptosis. Each patient was assesed for ptosis, asymmetry of the nipples, inframammary fold position, base constriction, breast mound, and finally chest wall before and after the operation. Asymmetry between the breasts preoperatively was accepted as a cause for exclusion from the study. All of the patients who had symmetric breasts underwent augmentation mammaplasty using gel filled breast implants, in which implantation, intraareolar incision and prepectoral subglandular placement method was chosen. Results. Breasts were evaluated by four independent surgeons preoperatively and in the postoperative period by means of ptosis, asymmetry of the nipple-areola, inframammary fold position, base constriction, breast mound, skin wrinkling, double-bubble apperance, rippling and softness. Less visible areolar scar took place on incision site without depigmentation. In most of the patients, good breast shape was provided by the augmentation, which satisfied them. While the breasts were symmetric in two patients preoperatively, severe difference between the shape of the breasts was realized by the patients and surgeons one year after the augmentation. Conclusion. We think that when breasts are augmented, some of differences, even if they are too less to be noticed, increases considerably. So, previously insignificant discrepansies related with volume, areolar size and inframammary fold may become clear after the operation. It seems that submuscular or subfacial placement of prosthesis may provide avoidance but further comparative studies with longer follow-up period are needed for a conclusion.