Evaluation of nipple-areola complex position after breast augmentation surgery

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Patients submitted to augmentation mammoplasty are often concerned about the possibility of sagging breasts. Although plastic sur-geons usually respond that this is unlikely, this is not supported by the litera-ture. This study aimed to precisely understand the changes in nipple-areola complex position after breast implantation, especially phenomena of “tendency to ptosis” and “bottoming out.”

Methods:

Medical and pho-tographic records were selected from among patients operated on at the Ivo Pitanguy Institute - 38th Infirmary of the Santa Casa de Misericordia of Rio de Janeiro from January 2009 to December 2010 and analyzed, and a literature review was performed.

Results:

Among 20 breasts in 10 patients, bottoming out was observed in 9 breasts in 6 patients, including 5 moder-ate and 4 mild. There was tendency to ptosis in 9 breasts in 5 patients, in-cluding 3 mild and 6 moderate. Only one breast did not present changes in the nipple-areola complex.

Conclusion:

Bottoming out and tendency to ptosis occur frequently after breast augmentation and require further study.

Keywords:
Breast; Mammoplasty; Breast Implant