You are on page 1of 9

l

BREAST

The Central Mound Pedicle: A Safe and Effective


Technique for Reduction Mammaplasty
Michael R. DeLong, M.D.
Background: The central mound technique offers a relatively less common
Irene Chang, B.A.
approach for breast reduction. This study evaluated the expected safety and
Matt Farajzadeh, B.S.
efficacy outcomes using this technique in a large patient series.
Edward H. Nahabet, M.D. Methods: A retrospective review of all patients undergoing central mound
Jason Roostaeian, M.D. breast reduction at the authors’ institution between June of 1999 and Novem-
Jaco Festekjian, M.D. ber of 2018 was performed. Both bilateral macromastia and unilateral sym-
James Rough, M.D. metrizing reduction patients were included but evaluated separately for some
Andrew L. Da Lio, M.D. outcomes. Patient demographics and comorbidities, operative details, postop-
Downloaded from http://journals.lww.com/plasreconsurg by BhDMf5ePHKbH4TTImqenVLDYB5WEYn0wbcpOCa/BExbhWSIP5MFhDjaesTfsLAFPb9ufepQzYCU= on 09/24/2020

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
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • October 2020

These considerations have resulted in the PATIENTS AND METHODS


development and description of numerous tech-
niques for performing reduction mammaplasty, Operative Technique
categorized by differing skin pattern reductions The central mound pedicle reduction mam-
and pedicle designs.8–12 The most commonly used maplasty is a highly reproducible technique
technique is the inferior pedicle with a Wise inci- (Figs. 1 and 2). [See Video (online), which dem-
sion pattern, preferred by an estimated 70 percent onstrates the steps of the central mound breast
of surgeons.13 The inferior/Wise approach offers reduction technique, including excision patterns
the safe excision of large tissue volumes with pre- and internal mastopexy sutures.] Preoperative
dictability and reproducibility.14,15 However, some markings are made with the patient in the sitting
surgeons have criticized this approach for per- position, with a typical Wise-pattern skin reduc-
ceived shortcomings, including squaring of the tion design drawn on the patient. The expected
breast borders and late pseudoptosis.16 new nipple-areola complex position is marked
Many critics of the inferior/Wise approach have at or just slightly above the Pitanguy point. The
adopted the superomedial pedicle reduction, using limbs of the Wise pattern are then marked based
either a Wise or vertical incision pattern. Advocates on surgeon preference estimating the final breast
of this technique believe that the superiorly based size and extent of expected resection.
pedicle affords longevity to the final breast mound Once in the operating room, an areolar tem-
shape and position by primarily resecting tissue plate is used to mark the new preferred size of the
inferiorly. In addition, limiting the skin incision areola. Incisions are made through skin based on
to only a vertical ellipse can reduce the eventual the preoperative Wise-pattern markings. The skin
scar burden for patients. However, although stud- around the areola and the inferior pole is com-
ies have suggested that the superomedial pedicle pletely removed down to the breast capsule. Supe-
can be used safely for larger reductions, some sur- riorly, medial and lateral skin flaps are created at
geons are hesitant to use the superomedial tech- the junction between the subcutaneous fat and
nique in gigantomastia patients with ptosis because the breast capsule. This plane will vary based on
of the reliance on a superiorly based blood supply the patient’s body habitus and body fat percent-
and potential for nipple ischemia.17,18 The supero- age. Dissecting in this plane maintains the entire
medial and inferior pedicle techniques also may be subcutaneous layer on the skin flap and is usually
of limited utility in re-reduction patients where the adequate to maintain adequate vascular perfusion
original pedicle is unknown.19 to the skin flaps. In extremely thin patients, if the
The central mound pedicle technique, intro- surgeon feels that insufficient subcutaneous tissue
duced by Balch in 1981,20 offers many advantages. is present, or if the capsule is not clearly defined,
The central mound relies on a highly vascular glan- a rim of breast tissue measuring a few millimeters
dular pedicle directly from the chest wall and can be can be included on the skin flaps in a more con-
safely used in re-reductions regardless of the pedicle servative elevation. The desired base width for
design used in the prior reduction. In addition, the the patient’s body habitus is determined and the
central mound technique allows the surgeon to pre- breast parenchyma is marked with a circle of this
cisely predict and modify the base width of the breast diameter centered on the nipple. Parenchymal
mound by shaping the underlying coned pedicle reduction is conducted circumferentially to cre-
and draping the skin over the final desired shape. ate a cone-shaped breast central mound pedicle,
By centering the pedicle under the nipple and point with the apex and resulting point of maximal
of maximal projection, an aesthetic and anatomical projection being the nipple-areola complex. The
breast contour can be constructed. The preserva- amount of tissue to resect can be reliably deter-
tion of the directly underlying tissue also may limit mined without needing anatomical landmarks by
the likelihood of damage to the sensory cutaneous using a circular template based on the final antici-
nerves destined for the nipple-areola complex. pated base width and resecting tissue outside
Multiple senior surgeons at our institution of this construct as demonstrated (See Video).
exclusively perform their reduction mammaplasty The usual diameter of the neo–breast mound
procedures with the central mound technique. will vary, again depending on the patient’s body
We evaluate multiple decades of patients hav- habitus, breast shape, and desired final breast vol-
ing undergone this relatively less common tech- ume; however,, in general, as with implant-based
nique to report on our experience with respect breast reconstructions, this diameter will range
to expected safety and efficacy outcomes for the anywhere from 11 to 15 cm as a rough estimate.
central mound procedure. For surgeons less familiar with the central mound

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.

technique, a more conservative resection can be A ridge of breast parenchyma is intention-


used with the knowledge that additional tissue ally left at the superior portion of the dissection
can be resected after a tailor-tacking assessment, cavity in the intrinsic breast mound. This ridge is
as discussed below. approximately 2 to 3 cm in width, spanning the
In large ptotic breasts, the surgeon will find entire width of the upper quadrants. At this time,
that, in the supine position, the notch-to-nipple absorbable sutures are placed, securing the newly
distance will not be as lengthy as in the sitting shaped and reduced central breast mound to this
position. The central breast mound can easily be superior parenchymal ridge, creating an internal
performed on these cases simply because the ves- mastopexy of the entire neo–breast mound. With
sels will still be present from the central mound this maneuver, the breast mound is supported
originating off of the chest wall. Alternatively, in not only by the skin envelope, but by the internal
extremely severe cases, or if the breast is overpro- parenchymal mastopexy.
jecting in the supine position, the central mound The skin flaps are then redraped and tailor-
can be trimmed appropriately, removing the tacked with staples. The patient’s back is then
nipple-areola complex, in addition to the circum- elevated on the operating room table to assess sym-
ferential resection. The nipple-areola complex is metry, shape, and nipple position. Adjustments
then grafted in these cases. can be made as necessary. If the initial resection

727
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
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

728
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
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).

Fig. 3. BREAST-Q symptom results among bilateral macromastia patients.

729
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery • October 2020

Fig. 4. BREAST-Q satisfaction results among bilateral macromastia patients.

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,

730
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
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

731
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
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.

732
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.
Volume 146, Number 4 • Central Mound Reduction Mammaplasty

CONCLUSIONS 14. Georgiade NG, Serafin D, Riefkohl R, Georgiade GS. Is there


a reduction mammaplasty for “all seasons?” Plast Reconstr
The central mound reduction mammaplasty Surg. 1979;63:765–773.
technique offers a relatively safe and effective 15. Georgiade NG, Serafin D, Morris R, Georgiade G. Reduction
method for treating patients with symptomatic mammaplasty utilizing an inferior pedicle nipple-areolar
macromastia or breast asymmetry. Theoretical ben- flap. Ann Plast Surg. 1979;3:211–218.
16. Davison SP, Mesbahi AN, Ducic I, Sarcia M, Dayan J,
efits for this technique include versatile reduction, Spear SL. The versatility of the superomedial pedicle
preservation of nipple sensation, reliable nipple with various skin reduction patterns. Plast Reconstr Surg.
perfusion in re-reduction patients, and sustained 2007;120:1466–1476.
results with internal mastopexy. Further research is 17. Nahabedian MY, McGibbon BM, Manson PN. Medical ped-
needed to robustly assess the relative performance icle reduction mammaplasty for severe mammary hypertro-
phy. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;105:896–904.
compared to alternative reduction techniques. 18. Abramo AC. A superior vertical dermal pedicle for the nip-
Andrew Da Lio, M.D. ple-areola: An alternative for severe breast hypertrophy and
Division of Plastic Surgery ptosis. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2012;36:134–139.
200 Medical Plaza Suite 460 19. Mistry RM, MacLennan SE, Hall-Findlay EJ. Principles
Los Angeles, Calif. 90095 of breast re-reduction: A reappraisal. Plast Reconstr Surg.
adalio@mednet.ucla.edu 2017;139:1313–1322.
@drdalio 20. Balch CR. The central mound technique for reduction mam-
@mikedelongmd maplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1981;67:305–311.
@doctor.eddie 21. American Society of Plastic Surgeons. 2017 plastic surgery
statistics report. Available at: https://www.plasticsurgery.
org/documents/News/Statistics/2017/plastic-surgery-statis-
tics-full-report-2017.pdf. Accessed December 8, 2018.
REFERENCES 22. Migliori MR, Muldowney JB. Breast reduction: The inferior
1. Nuzzi LC, Cerrato FE, Webb ML, et al. Psychological impact pedicle as an axial pattern flap. Aesthet Surg J. 1997;17:55–57.
of breast asymmetry on adolescents: A prospective cohort 23. De Biasio F, Zingaretti N, De Lorenzi F, Riccio M, Vaienti
study. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2014;134:1116–1123. L, Parodi PC. Reduction mammaplasty for breast symmetri-
2. Foreman KB, Dibble LE, Droge J, Carson R, Rockwell WB. sation in implant-based reconstructions. Aesthetic Plast Surg.
The impact of breast reduction surgery on low-back com- 2017;41:773–781.
pressive forces and function in individuals with macromastia. 24. Ogunleye AA, Leroux O, Morrison N, Preminger AB.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2009;124:1393–1399. Complications after reduction mammaplasty: A comparison
3. Gonzalez F. Reduction mammaplasty improves symptoms of of Wise pattern/inferior pedicle and vertical scar/supero-
macromastia. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1993;91:1270–1276. medial pedicle. Ann Plast Surg. 2017;79:13–16.
4. Kalliainen LK; ASPS Health Policy Committee. ASPS clini- 25. Hunter-Smith DJ, Smoll NR, Marne B, Maung H, Findlay
cal practice guideline summary on reduction mammaplasty. MW. Comparing breast-reduction techniques: Time-to-
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2012;130:785–789. event analysis and recommendations. Aesthetic Plast Surg.
5. Fischer JP, Cleveland EC, Shang EK, Nelson JA, Serletti JM. 2012;36:600–606.
Complications following reduction mammaplasty: A review 26. Bauermeister AJ, Gill K, Zuriarrain A, Earle SA, Newman MI.
of 3538 cases from the 2005-2010 NSQIP data sets. Aesthetic Reduction mammaplasty with superomedial pedicle tech-
Surg J. 2014;34:66–73. nique: A literature review and retrospective analysis of 938
6. Zubowski R, Zins JE, Foray-Kaplon A, et al. Relationship of consecutive breast reductions. J Plast Reconstr Aesthetic Surg.
obesity and specimen weight to complications in reduction 2019;72:410–418.
mammaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2000;106:998–1003. 27. Weichman KE, Urbinelli L, Disa JJ, Mehrara BJ. Breast reduc-
7. Spear SL, Howard MA. Evolution of the vertical reduction tion in patients with prior breast irradiation: Outcomes
mammaplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2003;112:855–868; quiz 869. using a central mound technique. Plast Reconstr Surg.
8. Hall-Findlay EJ. A simplified vertical reduction mamma- 2015;135:1276–1282.
plasty: Shortening the learning curve. Plast Reconstr Surg. 28. See MH. Central pedicle reduction mammoplasty: A reliable
1999;104:748–759; discussion 760–763. technique. Gland Surg. 2014;3:51–54.
9. Matarasso A. Suction mammaplasty: The use of suction 29. Manahan MA, Buretta KJ, Chang D, Mithani SK, Mallalieu J,
lipectomy alone to reduce large breasts. Clin Plast Surg. Shermak MA. An outcomes analysis of 2142 breast reduction
2002;29:433–443; vii. procedures. Ann Plast Surg. 2015;74:289–292.
10. Ramirez OM. Reduction mammaplasty with the “owl” inci- 30. Schlenz I, Rigel S, Schemper M, Kuzbari R. Alteration of nip-
sion and no undermining. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2002;109:512– ple and areola sensitivity by reduction mammaplasty: A pro-
522; discussion 523–524. spective comparison of five techniques. Plast Reconstr Surg.
11. Hidalgo DA, Elliot LF, Palumbo S, Casas L, Hammond D. 2005;115:743–751; discussion 752–754.
Current trends in breast reduction. Plast Reconstr Surg. 31. Muslu Ü, Demirez DŞ, Uslu A, Korkmaz MA, Filiz MB.
1999;104:806–815; quiz 816; discussion 817–818. Comparison of sensory changes following superomedial
12. Landau AG, Hudson DA. Choosing the superomedial and inferior pedicle breast reduction. Aesthetic Plast Surg.
pedicle for reduction mammaplasty in gigantomastia. Plast 2018;42:38–46.
Reconstr Surg. 2008;121:735–739. 32. Spear ME, Nanney LB, Phillips S, et al. The impact of
13. Okoro SA, Barone C, Bohnenblust M, Wang HT. Breast reduction mammaplasty on breast sensation: An analy-
reduction trend among plastic surgeons: A national survey. sis of multiple surgical techniques. Ann Plast Surg.
Plast Reconstr Surg. 2008;122:1312–1320. 2012;68:142–149.

733
Copyright © 2020 American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Unauthorized reproduction of this article is prohibited.

You might also like