Transaxillary subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty: a single surgeon's 20-year experience.

Background: Transaxillary subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty (TASPA) is not widely accepted due to perceived limitations in pocket access, visualization, control, and subsequent risk for postoperative complications. Current published data do little to substantiate or refute those claims.

Objective: A retrospective chart review of a single surgeon's 20-year experience with the TASPA technique was undertaken to assess the incidence of total secondary procedures, implant-related revisions, and reoperations unrelated to the implant.

Increased intraabdominal pressure in abdominoplasty: delineation of risk factors.

Background: Abdominoplasty is associated with a 1.1 percent risk of deep venous thrombosis. This has been attributed to rectus plication causing intraabdominal hypertension, known to effect decreased venous return, venous stasis, and thus thrombosis.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy in the augmented breast: role of the transaxillary subpectoral approach.

Given the use of sentinel lymph node biopsy for breast cancer staging, some plastic surgeons may be hesitant to offer patients a transaxillary approach to augmentation for fear of disrupting the lymphatic drainage of the breast. Dissection within the axilla theoretically compromises the normal drainage of the breast tissue to the axillary lymph node basin, a critical element in the procedure of sentinel lymph node mapping. We present a case report in which successful sentinel lymph node biopsy was performed after transaxillary subpectoral augmentation mammaplasty.