Summary
Background and aim
The inverted T technique, a popular method of breast reduction, relies on stretching
the skin over glandular breast tissue to create the breast shape. The Asplund-Davies
vertical scar method of breast reduction by contrast uses glanduloplasty to create
the desired breast shape, achieving tension-free skin closure. Indeed the skin at
the end of the vertical scar technique is wrinkled. It is known from tissue expansion
literature that when skin is placed under tension the dermis becomes thinner. In this
pilot cross-sectional study we compared breast skin thickness between two matched
groups of patients undergoing breast reduction either with the inverted T or the vertical
scar techniques, to determine whether the method of breast reduction impacts on breast
skin thickness in the long term.
Materials and Method
With a high frequency ultrasound machine the breast skin thickness of 24 breasts,
12 in each group, was measured by an independent consultant radiologist. Patients
were matched in terms of age, time since operation, Fitzpatrick skin type, preoperative
cup size and the amount of tissue resected.
Results
The breast skin in the inverted T group was significantly thinner than the vertical
scar group (P<0.001). The inverted T group also had thinner skin in comparison to its control point
(P<0.05). The vertical scar group had comparable skin thickness compared to its control
point (P>0.05).
Conclusion
This pilot study suggests that tension-free closure of skin with the vertical scar
technique maintains breast skin thickness. Maintenance of breast skin thickness in
this group may in turn contribute to the long term preservation of breast shape and
form.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 28, 2007
Accepted:
January 8,
2006
Received:
October 26,
2005
Footnotes
☆Presented by the corresponding author at the Summer Scientific Meeting of the British Association of Plastic Surgeons, Windsor, July 2005.
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Published by Elsevier Inc.
