Women seek breast reduction surgeries for a number of reasons. For some women, large breasts make them feel disproportionate, others suffer from pain in the lower back and shoulders and some just feel that their breasts are unattractive. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery places breast reduction surgery in the top five requested medical procedures for women. Once a woman makes the decision to have a breast reduction, there are a number of different methods to choose.
Pedicle Method
The pedicle method of breast reduction is the most common type of breast reduction performed. This method helps to reduce tissue volume, contour the breast for aesthetic purposes and maintain nipple function and sensation. Plastic surgeons may refer to the pedicle method as the anchor method, T-Scar method, inverted T pattern, lollipop, keyhole or donut incision. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons explains that the pedicle method involves many different incision patterns all of which raise the nipple and areola to a higher position while leaving portions of underlying tissues attached for support. Surgeons will then remove areas of surrounding skin and tissue to create a smaller breast, fitting the nipple in its new location. Breasts will look smaller and less pendulous.
Free Nipple Graft
Plastic surgeons often only use a free nipple graft when a patient’s breasts are too large for the pedicle method or in patients who are elderly. The free nipple graft method involves severing the nipple and its blood and nerve supply, preserving it for later. The surgeon then removes the excess skin and breast tissues and reassembles them to form the new breast. The surgeon will then trim the removed nipples down to a size appropriate to the new breast and graft them back onto the new breast tissue. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons assures that the free nipple graft is safe and fast but because the nipple is completely removed patients lose the ability to breast feed and lose sensation in the nipple. There is also a danger of injury to the blood supply to the nipples during grafting which can lead to a loss of the nipple.
Mastoplexy
While mastoplexy, or a breast lift, is not technically considered a breast reduction surgery but it does reduce the breast tissue and help lift the breasts. Women who do not have overly large breasts but would like their breasts to be firmer or more proportionate to their frame may opt for a breast lift. Plastic surgeons commonly perform the procedure in an outpatient clinic under general anesthesia. A mastoplexy can involve removing breast tissue and replacing the tissue with an implant for a firmer appearance as well as liposuction around the sides of the breast to reduce volume.
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