The circumvertical reduction mammaplasty

Abstract

Since 20 years ago when the periareolar technique first and the vertical techniques later were introduced into plastic surgery practice, a new concept in breast reductions with fewer and smaller scars has emerged [1]. Since then, different practitioners have popularized techniques that, after the initial enthusiasm, have found their place and are now being used by many plastic surgeons. To reduce the size of a breast with small scars is not an easy task. There are many new concepts that have to be understood and experienced until good results are obtained. There is also some controversy between leaving small scars and giving a nice shape to the breast. Nowadays, periareolar [2] techniques are used mostly for small hypertrophies, whereas the vertical one can be used for moderate or big hypertrophies [3-11]. To reduce the length of the vertical scar, I began using a combination of the periareolar and the vertical techniques. For 15 years now, the evolution of the primitive circumvertical skin incisions and personal observations have allowed me to reach interesting conclusions. Circumvertical reduction mastoplasty [12-16] is a procedure that comprises concepts and principles very different from those of the vertical ones. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.