For whom is the operation suitable?
The term breast malformations refers to problems that occur mainly during breast development in the embryonic stage or adolescence. These malformations can involve both breasts or only one side and cause intense discomfort to women who have them. We distinguish the following malformations:
- Poland syndrome (breast aplasia)
- Tubular breast
- Breast asymmetry
- Inverted nipples
- Acquired or iatrogenic malformations
Poland syndrome or breast aplasia
This malformation concerns the incomplete development of the breast but may include other aplasias such as the nipple, the major pectoral muscle or even the upper limb. Depending on the aesthetic and functional deficit that arises, the use of the latissimus dorsi muscle as a rotary flap to restore the major pectoral muscle and the anterior wall of the armpit, as well as the use of a silicone implant to give the breast the volume it lacks, may be required for correction. Rarely, Poland syndrome can occur on both sides and can also occur in men, where rehabilitation concerns only correction with the wide dorsal flap or with the use of special male silicone implants.
Tubular breast
This is one of the most common malformations we encounter and can affect both or one breast. The main problem is that there is a fibrous ring inside the chest which does not allow the lower pole of the chest to grow and in more severe cases it concerns the entire breast. The breast may have the shape of a “pear” in the milder forms, while in more severe cases it has the shape of a “tube”. Characteristic in all cases is that the nipple is swollen and usually protrudes in relation to the rest of the breast.
This dysplasia is found in a large number of women who come for breast surgery, who may not be aware of it, especially if it is a mild form of tubular breast. In a tubular breast of the first degree the characteristic is that the lower pole of the breast is not developed, the breast is generally hypoplastic and the submammary fold is located higher than normal. The solution to these milder cases of tubular breast is the placement of silicone implants or correction by fat transfer or combination.
In more severe cases, where the nipple is significantly affected, a solution of the ring that “chokes” the breast and a redistribution of the volume around the nipple are needed. Usually this is performed with a periareolar approach and can also be combined with silicone implants, fat transfer or lifting.
Nipple inversion
Nipple inversion is also one of the most common breast malformations. In this deformity the nipple is contracted inwards and is hidden. It is usually due to fibrous tissues that pull the nipple inwards and can appear in both breasts or only on one side. Apart from an aesthetic problem, there are often functional problems, as these women cannot breastfeed, while inflammation often occurs in the nipple.
The treatment is surgical and can be done under local or general anaesthesia. During the operation, in most cases, the continuity of the milk ducts and the possibility of breastfeeding are maintained. The result is permanent, with a very small number of relapses.
It should be noted that if a woman suddenly develops a nipple invesrion in one breast, which did not exist previously, she should immediately visit a specialist, because it may involve the possibility of malignancy.
Problems after breast surgery
Apart from breast malformations that are congenital, i.e. they have to do with the conformation of the breasts in fetal and adolescent age, quite complex can also be malformations of the breasts of iatrogenic origin, ie as a result of previous operations. These problems are not congenital malformations, but they have greater complexity than a classic breast plastic surgery and therefore it is worth mentioning them briefly.
The problems may originate after previous cosmetic intervention, such as breast augmentation, reduction or lift, or may be due to surgery due to malignancy. A classic and relatively common problem is that associated with implant malpositioning which can occur in the form of double bubble, excessive bottoming out or high riding implant. These problems can be surgically corrected, combining various techniques such as capsulotomy, capsulectomy, implants replacement, breast lift or lipotransfer.
Other cases involving breast deformities after breast lift or reduction may have to do with scars, nipple shape, asymmetry or poor result. Here we usually need to repeat part or all of the surgery to achieve the ideal result.
Breast dysplasia correction techniques
As it is understood, each breast dysplasia has a different treatment, which is almost completely personalized to fully address the problem. Therefore, dysplasia can be treated with a very small operation that is performed even under local anaesthesia, while in other cases larger or multiple operations may be needed. Therefore, each case should be examined separately and we should set a plan that will completely correct the problem.
Together we will design the ideal result for you, with symmetry and safety, without the need for multiple operations.
