Secondary reduction mammaplasty: does initial pedicle design matter?

Abstract

Reduction mammaplasty is one of the most common plastic surgical procedures performed in the United States. Occasionally patients will require a second reduction to address persistent or recurrent symptomatic macromastia. When the vascular pedicle of a primary breast reduction is unknown, there is uncertainty regarding how best to proceed with a secondary reduction. When the pedicle is known, we include at least the primary pedicle in our operative plan. When unknown, we performed a modified central mound (MCM) reduction technique. The MCM reduction respects the blood supply to the nipple-areolar complex (NAC) by preserving any remaining vascularity that is present within the central mound tissue while also maintaining superior and inferior vascular pedicles. We avoid using a free nipple graft.Thirty patients (60 breasts) underwent repeat breast reductions between 2009 and 2016. Patients were placed into two groups whether their primary vascular pedicle was known or unknown, and then further grouped based on the type of reduction they received. There was no significant difference in the complication rate between patients that underwent an MCM reduction versus those that underwent reduction with other techniques. Most patients maintained breast sensation and none required a free nipple graft.Patients can be offered repeat reduction mammaplasty with the possibility of nipple sensation preservation and a normal-appearing NAC regardless if the primary vascular pedicle is known. If the primary pedicle is unknown, the MCM technique is an excellent option.