Explantation with Lateral Pedicle Mastopexy.

Background: Although breast explantation combined with mastopexy is an increasingly common procedure, it does present certain technical difficulties. The authors present a technique of explantation mastopexy with the use of an extended lateral pedicle for autoaugmentation.

Methods: A consecutive series of 40 cases was reviewed retrospectively, with a patient-reported outcome questionnaire and photography at 3 and 12 months.

Results: The mean patient age was 57 years (range, 40 to 70 years), and the mean duration of implantation was 20.4 years (range, 7 to 42 years). Twelve women had undergone previous mastopexy (30%). Minor wound complications requiring simple dressings were seen in 7 patients (17.5%). Major infected wound problems occurred in 1 patient, who was a smoker and had other comorbidities. All except 1 patient reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the outcome, with a mean patient-reported satisfaction score of 4.9 of 5. When the photographs were independently assessed by a cosmetic practitioner, all patients were rated as average, good, or very good, with a mean score of 4.1 of 5.

Conclusions: The procedure is associated with low risk of postoperative complications, good cosmetic outcomes, and a high degree of patient satisfaction. The authors believe this technique provides a logical, reproducible method for combined explantation and mastopexy.

Clinical question/level of evidence: Therapeutic, IV.