The Infero-Central Mound Reduction Mammoplasty: A Single Surgeon, 20-year Experience.

[BACKGROUND] Reduction mammoplasty (RM) remains one of the most common plastic surgeries worldwide. Many different techniques have been described in the literature, each with its advantages and limitations. Nipple-areolar complex necrosis remains a daunting complication, regardless of the chosen surgical approach.

[OBJECTIVE] We describe the senior author's (HYK) unique reduction mammoplasty technique, employing the infero-central (IC) pedicle throughout the last two decades.

[PATIENTS AND METHODS] A retrospective chart review of 520 patients undergoing breast reduction was performed. After exclusion criteria, 360 were included in the study. These patients underwent RM with the IC technique, with stabilization of the breast mound and plication of the inferior pole dermis to prevent bottoming out. Demographics, operative data, and complications were recorded. Pre- and postoperative photographs were evaluated by a specialists' panel. The BREAST-Q questionnaire was utilized to assess satisfaction rates.

[RESULTS] BREAST-Q questionnaire-satisfaction with breast score was 84.19, and outcome score was 91.67. Aesthetic outcome evaluation, reviewed by four plastic surgeons, yielded a high score in all parameters (1.64-2; range 0-2). On a per-breast basis for all patients, the following complications were analyzed: dehiscence (3.61%), infection (2.22%), hematoma (1.66%), superficial wound healing problems (1.38%), seroma (0.83%), skin flap ischemia (1.52%), hypertrophic scar (1.38%), fat necrosis (0.97%), and partial nipple ischemia (0.27%).

[CONCLUSION] Infero-central mound technique can be applied to breast reductions of nearly all sizes, allowing for consistently satisfactory aesthetic outcomes for most patients. Due to robust vascularity of the pedicle, complication rates are kept at a minimum. IC mound technique is an essential tool in the plastic surgeon's armamentarium.

[LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV] This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .