Vertical scar mastopexy with a cat's tail extension for prevention of skin redundancy: an experience with 17 consecutive cases after mastopexy and mastopexy with breast augmentation.

[BACKGROUND] Mastopexy with or without augmentation is a commonly performed procedure. Marking, orientation of the flap and, in simultaneous augmentation, pockets for the implants can be selected in any combination. Vertical scar mastopexy, with or without augmentation, is commonly performed, with a high revision rate for skin redundancy. A new technique called the "cat's tail" extension of the vertical scar is a simple modification developed to avoid this complication.

[METHODS] Vertical scar was treated by mastopexy with or without augmentation using modified cat's tail extension markings in 17 consecutive cases (14 mastopexies with augmentation and 3 mastopexies alone). All the patients had a medially based flap, and all the procedures were performed on a day case basis without drains by a single surgeon.

[RESULTS] No hematomas or infections occurred after the procedure. During a follow-up period of 4 weeks to 1 year, all the patients had satisfactory results, with no skin redundancy in the immediate or late postoperative period. One patient had a superficial areolar necrosis in the lower half of the left nipple-areola complex and was treated conservatively. No other complications related to implant, implant pocket, breast envelope, or flap orientation were seen.

[CONCLUSION] The cat's tail marking is a simple modification of the vertical scar mastopexy that eliminated redundant skin in the current series.