A new technique of reduction mammaplasty: dermis suspension and elimination of medial scars

In the last decades new techniques of reduction mammaplasty significantly improved the results obtained and led to a reduced incidence of complications. However, some important problems like the loss of a natural submammary fold and alteration in the shape of the breast with time still remained mostly unsolved and the medial scars in the inverted T techniques are aesthetically unsatisfying. A new strategy for reduction mammaplasty has been developed based on a combination of advantages of other techniques. The principle of using de-epithelialised infra-areolar skin for dermis suspension prevents sagging of the remaining breast tissue behind the inframammary fold to create a long-lasting, natural shape of the reduced breast with an accentuated submammary fold. The central pedicle is favoured because of good modelling even in big reductions. Better vascular and nerve supply of the nipple-areola complex and the continuity of the lactiferous ducts are further advantages of the central pedicle. Secondary operations after reduction mammaplasty or augmentation usually dictate the use of a superior pedicle together with the dermis suspension technique. B-shaped skin incisions prevent medial submammary scars and can be used up to a 10 cm transposition distance of the nipple without disadvantage. The operative technique is described in detail. Examples are given for the primary procedure and the technique as a secondary correction. The principle of dermis suspension in combination with the prevention of a medial scar is applicable to reduction mammaplasty as well as mastopexy.