Background: Virtually all patients presenting for augmentation mammaplasty will exhibit some degree of asymmetry. The use of asymmetric implants to address small- volume breast asymmetry introduces uncontrolled variables into the longevity of postoperative results.
Objectives: We described a novel method of addressing small-volume asymmetry using deep parenchymal resection (DPR) to achieve symmetry prior to insertion of identical implants. We also compared our results with this technique to a cohort of standard augmentation mammaplasty patients.
Methods: All patients underwent 3-dimensional (3D) imaging during consultation. In patients with small-volume breast asymmetry, a uniform disk of deep parenchymal tissue was resected from the base of the larger breast cone through an inframammary incision. A standard submuscular augmentation was then completed. Five patients (DPR group) with appreciable small-volume asymmetry underwent DPR in the larger breast prior to insertion of identical implants. Fifty-six consecutive patients with no appreciable volume asymmetry (standard group) underwent standard submuscular breast augmentation.
Results: Using 3D imaging preoperatively, DPR-group patients had an estimated breast volume asymmetry of 86 ± 58 g and had 55 ± 27 g excised from the larger breast intraoperatively, allowing for insertion of identical implants in each patient. Complications in the standard group included 1 case of rippling and 2 cases of malposition. One case of malposition was noted in the DPR group. No other complications were recorded in either group over 6 months.
Conclusions: Our novel method of addressing small-volume breast asymmetry allows for the use of identical implants and presents no increase in early complications.
© 2015 The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, Inc. Reprints and permission: journals.permissions@oup.com.