Technical refinements of the modified central mound breast reduction

Introduction

Breast reduction has been described and modified by over 30 authors over more than 100 years^[1], and most techniques share the common pitfalls of pseudoptosis (bottoming out), difficulty ensuring an aesthetically pleasing shape, and failure to maintain aesthetic results in the long-term.

Central mound breast reduction, in which the gland with the nipple at its apex contains the pedicle of blood supply to the nipple, is reported to maintain nipple sensation well^[2]. In addition it maintains a reliable blood supply and allows good visualisation of the whole gland for shaping and removal of tissue.

We describe a series of refinements to the technique of central mound breast reduction, designed to optimise the aesthetic outcome and maintain longevity of results. This technique can be applied to reductions of large or small breast volumes, or of simple mastopexy without reduction.

Methods

All patients undergoing bilateral breast reduction by the senior author (M.R.) in both public and private practices over a 7-year period were included. Data on patient demographics, tissue mass excised, and post-operative complications was collected prospectively and stored by the senior author in a secure database. All those included in the study received a minimum of 6-month follow-up. The surgical technique evolved gradually over the preceding decade, including incorporation of previous authors’ work and is detailed as follows. The case examples shown have given consent for publication of their anonymised images.

Preliminary skin markings are made with the patient upright and are later re-drawn with the patient supine, after the operative field is prepared and draped [Figure 1]. Markings are similar to those for an inferior pedicle wise pattern technique, but with the addition of medial, lateral and superior dermal wings. Markings therefore consist of: (1) vertical midline from suprasternal notch to xiphoid process; (2) IMFs; (3) breast meridians (usually using a tape measure draped around the patient’s neck) continuing through the areola and onto the inframammary chest wall; (4) intended height of the new nipple based on Pitanguy’s point; and (5) the superior margin of the breast mound. The new nipple height is measured bilaterally to confirm symmetry.

Figure 1. Skin markings. See body of text for number key

Another line is drawn parallel and 2-3 mm superior to the IMF mark (6), which represents the line of full-thickness dermal incision. The narrow strip between here and the IMF is de-epithelialised, to which the IMF retaining sutures are later anchored.

The vertical edges of the skin envelope are marked as lines running 7.5 cm from the centre of the new nipple position in a caudal direction (7), while rotating and displac-ing the gland clockwise and anticlockwise. The lower limits of these lines are then turned 90º towards the ends of the IMF mark (8). The angle the vertical lines make where they meet at the new nipple position is determined by measuring the length of the IMF^[2] and the corresponding lines of the skin envelope (8) to ensure the overall length is the same. If the IMF is longer than the combined length of the horizontal parts of the skin envelope, the angle at which the vertical lines meet is narrowed. A broken circle (9), greater in width than height, of around 4.5 cm diameter is marked, centred on the intended new nipple position. The exact diameter can be determined by patient preference.

A vertical dermal strip roughly 7 cm in width is marked, equivalent to that of an inferior pedicle breast reduction (10). Near the base of this strip, a wing-like projection is also marked on each side, with about 5 cm base width and a length sufficient to wrap around the side of the glandular mound to create a conical shape in later steps (11). A third dermal wing arises from the superior aspect of the vertical dermal strip, above the nipple, within the broken circle at the top of the markings (12). The length of the vertical dermal strip below the nipple is often much longer (and variable between individuals) than the distance from the nipple to the IMF when the skin envelope is closed. This strip will be plicated to reduce it’s length, by an amount that varies from person to person, and help prevent pseudoptosis in the long term.

The skin envelope is infiltrated with a solution containing local anaesthetic and adrenaline, with emphasis laterally and superiorly, to block intercostal nerve sensory branches and constrict the intercostal perforator vessels. The smaller breast is reduced first. All of the marks are scored. Without the use of a breast tourniquet, the vertical dermal strip, along with the 3 dermal “wings”, are de-epithelialised using handswitch monopolar, sparing the nipple [Figure 2]. The incision parallel to the IMF is beveled superiorly to keep the ligamentous attachment of IMF intact, and prevent the gland descending postoperatively.

Figure 2. De-epithelialised dermal strip including one superior and two lateral wing-like extensions

Full thickness incisions into the underlying subcutaneous tissue commence with elevation of the medial dermal wing at a thickness of around 1 cm. The skin at the medial end of the IMF scar is undermined while an assistant provides elevation with skin hooks [Figure 3]; the volume from this area is reduced to avoid a dog-ear. The same is then done laterally.

Figure 3. Undermining of the skin at the medial end of the inframammary fold (IMF), to allow tension-free re-draping of the skin at closure and prevent standing cone deformity

Laterally the tissue to be excised is raised, leaving fibrofatty tissue on the chest wall of a thickness corresponding to the layer of subcutaneous fat. This avoids injury to neurovascular structures and contour irregularity when the skin envelope is closed.

Skin flaps are raised starting medially. The assistant uses skin hooks in the breast tissue (not dermis) and lifts the tissue vertically away from the chest [Figure 4]. Dissec-tion with handswitch monopolar proceeds in the plane of fascia is often referred to as the mastectomy plane, or sometimes deeper; the desired thickness of flaps is around 2 cm. One hand is used to keep checking the thickness of the flap. The medial skin flap is not fully raised at this time.

Figure 4. Elevation of the medial flap of the skin envelope, with assistant retracting away from the chest using skin hooks

The lateral flap is raised in the same way and at the same thickness, again not completely. The superior part of the skin envelope is elevated beyond the existing superior border of the breast base to create a pocket almost close to the clavicle, as planned preoperatively, to widen the base and to create fullness of upper pole. Adequacy of undermining is checked by placing a hand in the pocket formed by the skin envelope. The superior part is then connected to the medial and lateral parts of the skin envelope flap.

The reduction is then performed. Tissue that is not part of the skin flaps or the central mound, as defined by the dermal strip and lateral wings, is excised. This usually corresponds to the tissue beneath the small triangles of skin remaining around the already dissected parts. Tissue is preserved on the chest wall at the lower medial and lateral quadrants and at the superior pole to ensure good contour. Meticulous attention is paid to haemostasis with the patient at normotension.

The essential dermoglandular suspension consists of a 2-0 prolene suture from the chest wall - either rib periosteum or the pectoralis fascia at the upper aspect of the undermined skin flap - to the superior aspect of the central mound, roughly half way from the base to the superior edge of the de-epithelialised vertical strip. It is tied loosely to avoid tissue ischaemia. With the same suture, a further bite is taken at the superior part of the de-epithelialised dermal strip and tied just tight enough to elevate the nipple to its new height. Thus the mound is sutured to a new higher position on the chest wall. Again, this is not tied tightly so as to avoid restricting the plication of the inferior part of the dermal strip later.

The dermal wings are sutured to the chest wall in a superior direction, wrapping partly around the central mound with 2-0 prolene [Figure 5]. If sutured at an adequate height on the chest, the IMF is lifted slightly, and the overall effect of wrapping the dermal wings around the gland is to create a youthful cone-shaped breast mound for the skin envelope to be re-draped over.

Figure 5. Creation of a conical breast mound and hitching the gland to an elevated position on the chest wall by suturing dermal wings to rib periosteum in a superior direction

To enhance this cone shape, the supero-medial aspect of the medial and lateral dermal wings are sutured to the sides of the NAC, and the infero-lateral aspect of the wings are sutured to the chest wall.

The nipple is then partially inset using 3-0 vicryl, with a suture superiorly, inferiorly, then medially and laterally.

The necessary plication of the inferior dermal strip is performed using 3-0 Polydioxanone [Figure 6]. The distance from the nipple to IMF along the dermal strip is reduced to a length that corresponds to the vertical edge of the skin envelope and the desired nipple-to-IMF distance.

Figure 6. Plication of the inferior dermal strip to shorten the distance between the nipple and the inframammary fold

If required, the IMF ligament is reinforced or reconstructed by suturing the dermis at the IMF, particularly at the corner of the vertical dermal strip, to the chest wall using 2-0 ethibond. Latterly we have used additional de-epithelialised dermal flaps based inferiorly at the IMF incision as anchors for strength of the sutures between the IMF and chest wall. Suturing between dermis and periosteum or pectoralis fascia is more robust than suturing into the fibrofatty tissue around the IMF.

When closing the skin envelope, 2-0 prolene sutures are placed from the fascial layer to near the IMF to occlude the lateral space at the side of the gland, to prevent the tissue from lateralising and a boxy appearance of the breast. These sutures are also key to shaping the breast base, and some may be used at the medial aspect as well. The skin envelope is closed in the usual way without drains. Occasionally, vol-ume may need to be removed from the ends of the IMF wound before final closure to prevent standing cone deformities. No formal wound drainage is required. Dressings are applied and a sports bra is provided for the patient to wear for 2 months.

Results

Our series consists of 116 patients, of mean age 40 years (range 19-65). Patients were from a range of racial backgrounds and exhibited broad differences in breast history including previous breastfeeding and breast surgery. The mean tissue mass excised was 865 g (range: skin only-2175 g) per breast. There were no cases of nipple necrosis or infection requiring antibiotics. There was one post-operative haematoma which required surgical evacuation. Three patients developed a degree of fat necrosis which was managed conservatively in two, but required surgical debridement for liquefactive necrosis in one. Four patients experienced superficial wound dehiscence at the T-junction which was managed successfully with dressings.

Mean follow up was 20.6 months. Several patients treated with this technique are now at post-operative year seven, and none have required revision surgery for correction of pseudoptosis or other recurrent deformities. We did not note any apparent differences in scar quality with this technique compared to those obtained before we began using the technique, though this was not formally assessed. There was no notable difference in breast firmness after surgery with this technique. The effects on lactation were not assessed, though we do not expect these technical modifications to have more of an impact than other breast reduction techniques, and it is possible that the impact may be smaller due to this being a central mound technique.

Typical cases are shown in Figures 7-9. Note the fullness at the upper poles shortly after surgery in Figure 7. By three months this fullness has now descended along with the rest of the breast, including the IMF to a natural non-ptotic shape. The effects of surgery are well-maintained at discharge at 2 and 3 years post-op.

Figure 7. A: Pre-operative; B: ten-day post-operative

Figure 8. A: Pre-operative; B: three-year post-operative

Figure 9. A: Pre-operative; B: two-year post-operative

Discussion

Kankaya et al.^[3] state that “it is generally accepted that bottoming out deformity starts to develop at approximately six months postoperative”, and can be noticed easily at the end of the first postoperative year. Taking this into consideration, our follow-up interval seems appropriate given that many patients do not want unnecessary routine follow-up appointments once their treatment has ended. Our technique reliably reduces the appearance of the bottomingout deformity at postoperative year one and beyond. Although not as extensive as some other studies^[4], the number of patients in this series was adequate to demonstrate the consistency of results as seen in the photographs.

Aydin et al.^[5] describe creating an internal bra effect by the use of dermoglandular suspension beneath the separate skin envelope. Several variants on this technique exist, which include using alloplastic or allogenic materials^[6]. Our technique is another variant on similar pre-existing descriptions^[7,8] wherein we rely solely on the patient’s autologous tissue, which has benefits of not increasing cost, and eliminating the risks associated with implanted materials.

Rubin’s paper on mastopexy in the massive weight loss patient^[9] refers to plication of the dermis at the lower pole, so as to reduce the distance between the nipple and IMF with the aim of taking tension off the skin envelope at closure and improving projection. Kankaya et al.^[3] believe the superior dermo-glandular hitching is sufficient and that inferior dermal plication is not required. We make use of inferior dermal plication in the present technique in the belief that it reduces the propensity for bottomingout. Another purpose of it is to reduce wound healing complications by reducing tension on the skin at closure.

Rubin^[9] also makes use of dermo-glandular flaps to create a precisely shaped conical breast mound and suspend the breast tissue on the chest wall. He continues dissection of the skin envelope superiorly beyond the superior limit of the gland up as high as the clavicle. We create a similar pocket but just above the second rib.

Kankaya et al.^[3] assert that fixation of the dermal flaps to the costal periosteum in-stead of pectoral fascia can decrease tissue descent over the long term, and Rubin^[9] advocates this also. We favour fixation to rib periosteum in our technique wherever possible.

A factor often overlooked in studies of breast reduction is the stability of the IMF. Interference with the normal anatomy of the IMF by surgery can result in the fold being displaced in any direction, including away from the chest wall. If this occurs there is loss of the natural definition of the lower breast pole, and the parenchyma can more readily descend on the chest wall resulting in pseudoptosis or an inferior “double bubble” deformity^[10]. As part of our technique we place emphasis on dissection superior to the IMF ligament, as defined by Bayati and Seckel^[10], to maintain stability of the IMF. The fold may be moved slightly in a superior direction as part of the dermal suspension element of the procedure, but this adds to its definition and does not interfere with the IMF ligament itself. Recently we have also begun to augment the definition of the IMF by adding extra non-absorbable sutures between the dermis and the chest wall with promising initial results. This, we believe, also stabilises the IMF to the chest wall to prevent it from separating or descending.

With ageing, the normal footprint of the breast becomes narrowed due to a combination of ptosis and tissue atrophy. The heavier a breast, the greater the descent due to gravity. Restoration of a youthful breast appearance should involve correction of this senescent narrowing, in addition to correcting ptosis. Our technique creates a dermoglandular cone which, on hitching upward and stabilising to the pectoralis fas-cia to maintain the mound above the IMF, broadens the footprint of the breast leading to a smooth, round pleasing breast appearance.

Drawbacks to our technique mainly pertain to the dissection of the skin envelope and the suspension elements: the series of modifications we use in combination add time to the breast reduction overall, of the order of around 30%, but we believe the benefits of improved aesthetics and longevity make this a worthwhile trade-off.

The large skin envelope is widely undermined and relatively thin compared to other techniques. Logically, this introduces a hypothetically increased risk of skin flap necrosis or wound healing complications such as dehiscence or poor scars, particularly at the t-junction. So far we have not yet seen this borne out in practice. Our rates of wound healing complications are comparable to those previously reported elsewhere. Meticulous attention to flap thickness and tissue handling, plus patient selection, may help ameliorate these risks. The skin flap dissection, among other elements of the technique, produces a learning curve that may deter others from incorporating these modifications into their breast reduction repertoire.

Most of our patients wish to keep good proportionate volume ranging from C to F cup. As always, we aim to match the breast volume to the body structure of each individual patient in our population. However those wishing to keep a large proportion of initial volume but obtain good breast shape and correction of ptosis, as is possible with this technique, are the challenging patients in the long run due to the rate of recurrent ptosis or pseudoptosis.

The case that developed fat necrosis requiring surgical washout and debridement had a reduction in nipple-to-IMF distance of 19 cm. Other cases in our series have had reductions in nipple-to-IMF distance of 17 cm done safely without complications. We therefore feel it is safe to reduce the pre-operative nipple-to-IMF distance by up to 17 cm without free nipple graft, assuming intrinsic patient factors are optimal.

In conclusion, the technique herein described offers a range of benefits over existing techniques, aimed at improving predictability, consistency and longevity of aesthetic results. Development of pseudoptosis in particular, which is a common pitfall with existing breast reduction techniques, is effectively delayed. We believe the learning curve and extra time required to complete the procedure, with its series of additional steps, is a very worthwhile trade-off for patients who receive a more lasting improvement in breast shape and lift. The modifications described have not been shown to increase the rates of surgical complications.