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Paper Mama Satti
BREAST
Los Angeles, Calif.; and Tucson, Ariz. erative adverse events, and BREAST-Q scores were recorded. Associations be-
tween preoperative variables and outcomes were assessed with chi-square tests,
Wilcoxon tests, and Kendall tau-b correlations.
Results: A total of 325 patients were identified for inclusion (227 bilateral
and 98 unilateral; 552 breasts). The average patient age was 46 years, and the
average body mass index was 27.4 kg/m2. Among the bilateral macromastia
patients, the average operative time was 3 hours 34 minutes, and average
breast tissue removed was 533 g (right breast) and 560 g (left breast). Among
all patients, average follow-up was 169 days. On a per-breast basis for all pa-
tients, the following complication rates were observed: seroma, 0.2 percent;
hematoma, 1.1 percent; dehiscence, 2.9 percent; infection, 1.5 percent; hy-
pertrophic scar, 4.6 percent; nipple necrosis, 0.4 percent; fat necrosis, 0.9
percent; and skin flap necrosis, 1.7 percent. Using the BREAST-Q Reduc-
tion/Mastopexy questions on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, restricted
to the bilateral macromastia patient population, all scores improved with
statistical significance.
Conclusion: The central mound pedicle is a safe and effective approach for
reduction mammaplasty for both bilateral macromastia patients and unilateral
symmetrizing operations. (Plast. Reconstr. Surg. 146: 725, 2020.)
CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.
R
eduction mammaplasty is a common pro- of the nipple, skin, or fat, and can lead to a poor
cedure used by plastic surgeons to improve cosmetic result.5,6 In addition, the extent of skin
quality of life in patients with symptomatic excision must be balanced with the ultimate scar
macromastia, or to restore symmetry in patients burden on the breast mound and inframam-
with congenital discrepancies or after unilateral mary fold.7
reconstruction.1–3 Although this is a common
procedure, adherence to fundamental plastic
surgery principles is required to remove the Disclosure: The authors report no financial con-
excess skin and breast parenchyma and to repo- flicts of interest. This study was not funded.
sition the nipple while maintaining adequate
perfusion to all tissues.4 Improper technique or
overly aggressive resection can result in necrosis Related digital media are available in the full-text
version of the article on www.PRSJournal.com.
From the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery,
Department of Surgery, University of California, Los Angeles;
and Plastic Surgery Specialists. Read classic pairings, listen to the podcast, and
Received for publication August 8, 2019; accepted March 31, join a live Q&A to round out your Journal Club
2020. Discussion. Click on the Journal Club icon on
Copyright © 2020 by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons PRSJournal.com to join the #PRSJournalClub.
DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000007173
www.PRSJournal.com 725
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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • October 2020
726
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Volume 146, Number 4 • Central Mound Reduction Mammaplasty
Fig. 1. Schematic depicting the central mound reduction technique. (Above, left) A standard Wise-pattern incision is marked on
the patient. (Above, center) The superior skin flaps are elevated in the plane between the breast capsule and subcutaneous tis-
sue. (Above, right) The desired base width is marked, and the breast parenchyma is resected to preserve the central mound cone.
(Below, left and below, center) The central mound pedicle is secured to the upper parenchymal ridge as an internal mastopexy.
(Below, right) Closure.
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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • October 2020
Fig. 2. Central mound surgical technique. (Above, left) Skin incision with desired pattern. (Above, second from left) Skin flaps raised
in plane between breast parenchyma and subcutaneous fat. (Above, second from right) Full-thickness skin excision on tissue inside
the Wise pattern. (Above, right) Circular template used to mark central mound pedicle with desired base width. (Center, left) Paren-
chyma resection leaving the previously marked conical central mound. (Center, second from left) Marking the superior wedge of
the central mound and (center, second from right) excision of this superior wedge. (Center, right) Internal mastopexy performed by
elevating central mound pedicle where wedge was excised and (below, left) Sutured into place. CM, central mound. (Below, center)
Demonstration of internal mastopexy sutures. (Below, right) Closure.
based on the desired base width template is felt to in our facility’s archives. We further restricted the
be insufficient, more tissue can be resected from study population to only patients of surgeons at
the central mound pedicle in the areas that still our institution who solely use the central mound
appear inappropriately full or convex. This step reduction technique. The remaining surgeons at
can be repeated with tailor-tacking to ensure that our institution do not use the central mound tech-
the final appearance of the breast is the desired nique, so none of their patients were included.
size and shape and that satisfactory symmetry is Both macromastia patients and patients undergo-
achieved. Once the result appears acceptable, the ing unilateral symmetrizing reduction for asym-
patient is returned to the supine position and the metry or after reconstruction were included but
incisions are closed after hemostasis is ensured. were evaluated separately for some outcomes.
A closed-suction drain may be used if desired. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities,
Finally, a new areolar defect is created at a desired smoking status, operative details, follow-up, and
distance from the inframammary fold and the postoperative adverse events were extracted by
underlying nipple-areola complex is delivered chart review. Patients who had undergone bilateral
and the skin is closed with absorbable sutures. reduction mammaplasty for symptoms were then
contacted by phone and were asked to complete
Study Design the BREAST-Q reduction module questions on a
Institutional review board approval for the Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5 for both their pre-
study was granted through the University of Cali- operative and their postoperative scores. Although
fornia, Los Angeles (no. 18-001222). All patients a baseline response before surgery would have
undergoing reduction mammaplasty between been preferable to eliminate recall biases, this
June of 1999 and November of 2018 were iden- information is not routinely obtained at our insti-
tified by using CPT code 19318. This period was tution and so the preoperative scores had to be
selected because it represents all available years obtained postoperatively. The use of the individual
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Volume 146, Number 4 • Central Mound Reduction Mammaplasty
Table 1. Patient Demographics time was 3 hours 34 minutes, and average breast
tissue removed was 533 g from the right and 560 g
Characteristic Value (%)
from the left. Among all patients, average follow-
Mean patient age ± SD, yr 46 ± 15.1 up was 169 days. Complete demographics data are
Mean BMI ± SD, kg/m2 27.3 ± 4.5
Bilateral 227 (69.8) listed in Table 1.
Ethnicity On a per-breast basis for all patients, the
Asian 7 (2.2) following complication rates were observed:
Black 35 (10.8)
Hispanic 19 (5.8) seroma, 0.2 percent; hematoma, 1.1 percent;
Indian 1 (0.3) dehiscence, 2.9 percent; infection, 1.5 percent;
White 220 (67.7) hypertrophic scar, 4.6 percent; nipple necro-
Other 12 (3.7)
Unknown 31 (9.5) sis, 0.4 percent; fat necrosis, 0.9 percent; and
Diabetes 6 (1.8) skin flap necrosis, 1.7 percent. Unsurprisingly,
Hypertension 29 (8.9) nipple necrosis was associated with diabetes
Smoking status
Current 13 (4) (p < 0.001), amount of tissue removed (p = 0.04),
Former 54 (16.6) and hypertension (p = 0.01), and dehiscence was
Never 258 (79.4) also associated with amount of tissue removed
Mean follow-up ± SD, days 169 ± 293
Mean operation time ± SD, min 183.3 ± 62.4 (p = 0.03).
Mean amount of tissue removed ± SD, g Ninety-six bilateral macromastia patients (42.3
Right 532 ± 331 percent) completed the BREAST-Q Reduction/
Left 560 ± 351
Mastopexy questions on a Likert scale ranging
from 1 to 5 (Figs. 3 and 4). The following changes
in average symptom frequency were observed
questions on a Likert scale was performed to iso- postoperatively: shoulder pain, 3.40 to 1.41 (of 5)
late the different satisfaction endpoints. Associa- (p < 0.001); neck pain, 2.94 to 1.63 (p < 0.001);
tions between preoperative variables and outcomes painful shoulder grooving, 3.78 to 1.57 (p < 0.001);
were assessed with chi-square tests, Wilcoxon tests, rashes under breasts, 2.08 to 1.09 (p < 0.001); and
and Kendall tau-b correlations. back pain, 3.27 to 1.64 (p < 0.001). Nipple sensa-
tion was also reduced from 3.53 to 3.05 (p < 0.001).
Patients were also satisfied with breast appearance
RESULTS in clothes, 1.48 to 3.70 (of 4) (p < 0.001); breast
A total of 325 patients were identified for size match to their body habitus, 1.46 to 3.70
inclusion (227 bilateral and 98 unilateral; 552 (p < 0.001); breast size, 1.39 to 3.61; (p < 0.001);
breasts). The average patient age was 46 years, breast shape in a bra, 1.91 to 3.64 (p < 0.001);
and the average body mass index was 27.4 kg/m2. comfort of bra fit, 1.53 to 3.59; (p < 0.001); how
Thirteen patients reported actively smoking, and breasts hang, 1.38 to 3.70 (p < 0.001); and how
54 patients were former smokers. Among the bilat- normal breasts appeared postoperatively, 1.57 to
eral macromastia patients, the average operative 3.60 (p < 0.001).
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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • October 2020
In addition, the revision rates from our series performing a reduction mammaplasty have been
were very low. Sixteen of 325 patients (4.9 per- reported and popularized among the plastic sur-
cent) underwent revision for dissatisfaction with gery community, each relying on differing vascu-
the appearance of their scar, and only three lar pedicles.7,9,10,18
patients (0.9 percent) requested re-reduction for The most common technique is the inferior
inadequate volume removal. pedicle with Wise-pattern skin incision.13 The
basic steps for an inferior/Wise reduction involve
the creation of a (usually) deepithelialized infe-
DISCUSSION rior pedicle based on perforators from the fourth
Reduction mammaplasty is an important and through sixth intercostals.22 The superior and lat-
common procedure available to breast plastic and eral tissues are removed based on surgeon judg-
reconstructive surgeons.21 However, safe and effec- ment, and then the nipple is repositioned to the
tive implementation of this procedure requires apex of the skin incision. Although this technique
the maintenance of a robust blood supply to the remains the most popular, critics have suggested
nipple while strategically removing excess tissues that the inferior/Wise approach may result in
to reduce and shape the final breast mound. The boxy breast borders and a less appealing final cos-
breast parenchyma and skin receive blood sup- metic result. In addition, some surgeons believe
ply from the thoracoacromial artery, internal that preferential removal of superior tissues with
mammary perforators (second through fifth), preservation of inferior tissues can lead to late
lateral thoracic artery, thoracodorsal artery, and pseudoptosis and bottoming-out of the breast
terminal branches of the intercostal perforators with time.
(third through eighth), with roughly 60 percent The second most popular option for reduc-
of the perfusion supplied by the internal mam- tion mammaplasty is the superomedial pedicle,
mary perforators. Multiple surgical variations for often combined with a limited vertical incision,
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Volume 146, Number 4 • Central Mound Reduction Mammaplasty
as popularized by Hall-Findlay. Perceived benefits central mound reduction that we are aware
of this approach include preferential removal of of.28 Although a robust analysis is not possible
inferior tissues, reproducible and reliable pedicle, because of differences in patient populations,
and reduction in scar burden.7,16 resected tissue amounts, and follow-up duration,
Reports have presented evidence that a supe- we observed a lower complication rate in our
rior pedicle design may provide a longer lasting series than previously described in other stud-
lift and better cosmetic match to a prosthetic ies that used inferior/Wise or superomedial pat-
reconstruction compared to inferior pedicle tech- terns.24–26,29 We also observed correlation between
niques.23 Some comparisons between the supero- the amount of tissue removed and complication
medial and inferior/Wise techniques suggest that rates, which is consistent with prior studies.4,6
complication rates are comparable between these These data do not allow a definitive comparison,
two techniques.24,25 However, in a literature review but provide evidence that the central mound
and retrospective analysis of 938 procedures by technique offers a safe alternative for reduction
Bauermeister et al., the superomedial reduction mammaplasty.
technique was associated with lower complication Regarding the effectiveness of the central
rates than the inferior/Wise technique based on mound technique, we observed substantial and
comparisons to historical controls.26 statistically significant improvements in all symp-
The central breast mound reduction tech- tom and appearance questions from the BREAST-
nique has the advantage of being supplied from Q Reduction/Mastopexy module, asked on a
multiple sources. Because the base of the mound Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5, among macro-
is never violated, some have called this technique mastia patients. On average, patients reported
the “maximally vascular central breast mound reduced or relieved symptoms along with an
reduction,” as perforators from the internal enhanced and harmonized appearance. Unfor-
mammary, intercostal, thoracoacromial, and tunately, these data are limited by susceptibility
perhaps some branches from the lateral thoracic to recall bias because preoperative values were
arteries can contribute to the central mound acquired postoperatively during the retrospective
vascular supply. The maximally vascularized review. They are also not directly comparable to
pedicle enables the central mound technique other studies, which reported aggregate scores of
to be used for all appropriate breast reduction a total of 100. Again, these data provide a reas-
candidates. There are no specific contraindica- suring benchmark for the success of the central
tions for this approach other than general con- mound technique. Patient satisfaction was simi-
traindications for reduction mammaplasty.27 larly reflected in the very low revision rates of 4.9
Conceptually, the central breast mound reduc- percent for scar revision and 0.9 percent for revi-
tion technique has the following significant sion of the reduction itself, although we acknowl-
advantages: edge that these rates may be underestimates
because patients may undergo revisions at a dif-
1. Wide skin undermining, which allows ferent center if they are truly unhappy with their
redraping of the overlying skin envelope in results. Figures 5 and 6 demonstrate typical results
a much more controlled and tension-free in a patient undergoing central mound reduction
fashion. for macromastia.
2. Circumferential resection of the large and In addition, although we observed a statistical
ptotic breast parenchyma in a dome-shaped reduction in nipple sensation in our cohort, the
fashion. degree was relatively minor based on the BREAST-
3. Creation of an internal parenchymal masto- Q questionnaire, decreasing only from 3.53 to
pexy by securing the upper pole of the new 3.05 (p < 0.05) and unlikely to be clinically mean-
breast mound to the upper glandular ridge ingful. Although there are not comparable data
or pectoralis major fascia. on nipple sensation in relation to the BREAST-Q
4. Tension-free closure of skin flaps. Because from other studies, the decrease observed in our
the skin flaps do not bear the primary bur- series was likely relatively minimal. We believe
den of supporting the new breast mound, that the central mound technique may have par-
the scars should in theory be less prone to ticular utility in preserving sensation to the nipple
hypertrophic scar formation. because of the centrally preserved tissues under-
lying the nipple-areola complex. For example,
In our retrospective evaluation, we review superiorly based pedicles have been associated
the largest number of breasts undergoing a with the greatest reduction in nipple sensation
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Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • October 2020
Fig. 5. Frontal views of a patient who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty for macromastia with removal of 833 g from
the right and 814 g from the left shown (left) preoperatively, (center) 6 weeks postoperatively, and (right) 1 year postoperatively. Of
note, the patient lost weight between 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively.
Fig. 6. Lateral views of the patient who underwent bilateral reduction mammaplasty for macromastia with removal of 833 g from
the right and 814 g from the left shown (left) preoperatively, (center) 6 weeks postoperatively, and (right) 1 year postoperatively. Of
note, the patient lost weight between 6 weeks and 1 year postoperatively.
because of resection of underlying tissues.30 Prior point of maximal projection, which may be par-
sensitivity comparisons between the superomedial tially responsible for the high satisfaction scores
and inferior/Wise techniques have concluded no observed in our patient population. The reliance
difference in postoperative nipple sensations.31,32 on a central, maximally vascularized pedicle also
However, these studies used objective sensation allows the central mound technique to be used
measurements, and the results cannot be com- safely in patients undergoing re-reduction with
pared to the subjective results in our cohort based unknown prior pedicle, or patients with a history
on BREAST-Q questions. of radiation therapy.
The centralization of the pedicle under- Ultimately, our evaluation of the central
neath the final nipple position has additional mound technique in 552 breasts demonstrates
theoretical advantages that are more difficult to reassuring safety and effectiveness outcomes.
measure. By minimally disrupting the underly- Our data provide a benchmark in a large series
ing breast parenchyma, lactation is likely to be of patients to establish the expected complication
less impaired compared to other techniques. rates and efficacy results. Further rigorous evalu-
The preservation of a cone of breast tissue ation will be required to understand the relative
directly underneath the nipple also allows the benefits or disadvantages compared to other
placement of the nipple-areola complex at the techniques.
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Volume 146, Number 4 • Central Mound Reduction Mammaplasty
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