Augmentation/mastopexy: how to select and perform the proper technique.

During a period of 8 years, 384 female patients underwent simultaneous surgery for placement of implants and mastopexy. The surgical techniques used were selected according to the characteristics of each particular case. The determining variables in the selection were ptosis of the nipple-areola complex (NAC) and distance from the NAC to the inframammary fold. Only three surgical techniques were used: NAC lifting (n = 30), periareolar pexy (n = 196), and inverted T pexy (n = 158). The degree of general satisfaction with each of the techniques was 89%, 82%, and 92%, respectively. Round and anatomic implants were used, respectively, for 258 (67%) and 126 (33%) of the patients, with their use depending on the medical indications and each patient's choice. All complications were minor, and their overall incidence was 18%. Factors such as proper choice of the surgical technique, type of implant, approach to placement of the implant, type of suture, and removal of tissue for the pexy are fundamental to obtaining a good result. With these factors kept in mind, it is possible to perform the combined procedure of mastopexy and implantation, to minimize the complications, and to obtain satisfactory results over the mid and long terms.