Footprint Elevation and Fullness of the Upper Pole of the Breast in Free-Style Reduction Mammaplasty Procedures

Abstract

Background:

Despite the significant advances in the reduction mammaplasty fields, they all have drawbacks. A persistent lack of fullness in the upper pole was observed after 6 to 8 months in most of the instances given by the pioneers. The author’s goal was to enhance the cosmetic aspect of the breast and to achieve this goal; they searched for a superior approach that could provide upper pole fullness over the long term.

Patients and methods:

The project aimed to achieve all the other objectives of breast reduction while also enhancing the footprint elevation and fullness of the upper pole in free-style reduction mammaplasty surgeries. This study was carried out on 117 patients between February 2015 and July 2021.

Results:

In this study, the upper breast border produced an esthetically acceptable upper border in 114 (97.4%) cases for 2 to 7 years, whereas the outcomes were unsatisfactory for 4 patients (2.6%).

Conclusions:

The second rib, the second intercostal space, the third rib, the third intercostal space, or more are the possible starting levels of the upper border of the breast footprint. By severing the superior breast ligament and attaching the medial and lateral pillars to the pectoral fascia at the level of the second rib, the upper border of the breast can be stably elevated.

Level of Evidence:

IV therapeutic