Can We Really Control the Inframammary Fold (IMF) in Breast Augmentation?

Abstract

Two recent studies describe suture techniques to control the inframammary fold (IMF).1,2 Campbell et al1 use 3-0 Vicryl (Ethicon, Somerville, NJ) deep fascial sutures to reinforce the IMF, and report no complications in 600 patients and implant malposition in fewer than 1% of patients.1 Similarly, Montemurro et al2 describe a “stable reset” of the IMF, using Quill barbed sutures (Surgical Specialties, Wyomissing, PA). These authors2 report that 1.15% of their 436 patients experienced bottoming out and 1.38% had a double bubble.2 Campbell et al1 recognize the need to compare their results with controls. In the legend to the authors' Figure 3, Campbell et al1 state that they repositioned the IMF down to 7.2 cm, although its position next to a pigmented skin lesion appears unchanged. Montemurro et al2 state that the existing IMF was lowered 1.5 cm in their clinical example. This wording …