Running circular suture technique for reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy.

Background: Many reports have described various technical aspects of reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy procedures. The authors present their technique, which combines a number of techniques already described in the literature regarding repositioning of the nipple-areola complex, reduction of the diameter of the base of the breast, and long-term retention of mammary cone projection. This study evaluated the results for patients of various ages and phenotypes in terms of scar dimensions, breast positioning, and patient satisfaction in the short, medium, and long terms.

Methods: Mammaplasty was performed using the inverted T technique. The preoperative skin markings differed from those described in the literature in that they did not use the future position of the nipple-areola complex as the main reference point. A running circular suture was used to fix the breast to the pectoralis major fascia and to reduce the diameter of the base of the breast, resulting in a reduced horizontal scar in the inframammary fold. The skin-marking technique allowed for better postoperative breast symmetry regardless of preoperative variations in shape and volume.

Results: The outcomes were considered satisfactory in the majority of cases by both the patient (p = 0.78) and the physician (p = 0.58). Adequate fullness of the upper pole was maintained in 94.7 % of the breasts.

Conclusions: The described technique results in a reduced diameter of the base of the breast, repair of ptosis, repositioning of the nipple-areola complex, and long-term upper pole fullness. Complications can occur with any technique, but it is important to choose a technique with good quality outcomes overall.

Level Of Evidence Iv: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .