Modification of the inferior pedicle technique

Abstract

An ideal breast reduction technique should produce a breast of desired size and shape; preserving function and sensibility and avoiding all complications and scars. In practice, the results achieved by current techniques are far from ideal. Breast reduction surgery leaves visible scars and possiblys of tissue complications, to achieve a breast of desired volume and shape [1, 2]. The field of reduction mammaplasty has been a contentious area in which numerous techniques have been proposed [3]. The inferior pedicle inverted "T" scar technique is a popular technique, which was initially described simultaneously by various authors [4-6]. This technique results in a pedicle with a highly reliable vascularity. As a consequence, there is reduced incidence of necrosis of the nipple-areola complex, retention of nipple-areola sensation, retention of the ability to lactate, and a good aesthetic result. But this is off set by the extensive and prominent inverted T scar, bottoming out and the high incidence of T junction breakdown [7, 9]. Numerous modifications have been suggested for the inferior pedicle technique, over the passage of time. These basically relate to making the operation safe and give more reliable cosmetic results. © 2009 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.