Liposuction of the female breast: a histologic study of the aspirate.

Background: Liposuction for female breast reduction is a new treatment modality that has many advantages over the generally accepted procedure of excision, which can damage glandular tissue and impair breastfeeding capacity.

Objective: To assess any potential damage to glandular tissue caused by liposuction of the female breast.

Methods: Specimens of the aspirate from 61 consecutive female patients who underwent liposuction of the breast using tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) and powered cannulae (PCs) were sent for histologic evaluation.

Results: In all cases, fat tissue was the main component observed in the breast aspirate specimens. In 58 cases, fragments of fibrotic tissue were found. In nine cases, minor fragments of the smallest glandular tissue ductuli were detected. In no case was there any sign of larger glandular structures.

Conclusions: Histologic evaluation of 61 specimens of the aspirate obtained from breast liposuctions using TLA and PCs showed only minor signs of damage to glandular tissue in a small minority of patients. There was no indication that lactation might be impaired using this procedure. The authors have indicated no significant interest with commercial supporters.