TUBEROUS BREASTS 

This is a malformation of the breasts consisting of a lack of development of them and characterized by:

-          Deficit of tissue and narrowness of the base of the breast

-          Large Areolas

-          Herniation of the mammary gland within the areola

-          high submammary fold

According to the deficiency degree, several types are distinguished:

-           Type I: deficit in the inner lower quadrant

-          Type II: deficit in both lower quadrants

-          Type III: deficit in all four quadrants.

The type of deficit conditions the surgical procedure. The objectives are:

-          to increase the base of the breast, giving a suitable shape, eliminating the constriction of the base of the breast

-         to lower the submammary fold

-         to make the areola smaller and to eliminate the constrictive periareolar ring causing the herniation of the gland within the areola.

The technique consists of eliminating the excess of skin removing a doughnout around the areola, releasing the constrictive ring and approaching the deep part of glandula. According to the type of deformity we have several options:

-           In type I I use a personal technique that consists of taking part of the gland to fill up the inner part of the breast. The operation is complemented with the placement of a silicone prosthesis to fill up and to give volume.

-          In type II a glandular flap is designed to make the central and inferior aspect of the breast. The medial and lateral part are filled up with a prosthesis.

-          In type III: the reconstruction relies on a silicone implant or a two-stage reconstruction with a tissue expander.


Dr. J. Benito Ruiz, 1998-2000