Tuberous Breast, Deformities, and Asymmetries: A Retrospective Analysis Comparing Fat Grafting Versus Mastopexy and Breast Implants

Abstract

Abstract Background The tuberous breast is considered a breast deformity characterized by varying degrees of herniation of the parenchyma, widened nipple-areolar complex (NAC), absence of the lower quadrants, and may involve several degrees of hypoplasia and asymmetry causing significant psychosocial distress. Objectives The paper aimed to compare the results obtained in patients suffering tuberous breast treated with fat grafting (FG), with those of patients treated with a mastopexy and silicone implants (M-SI) also analyzing the influence of breast and chest deformities (degrees of hypoplasia and tuberous breast, volume and NAC asymmetry, pectus excavatum, and carinatum) in the reconstructive outcomes. Methods A retrospective, case-control study was conducted. Thirty-five patients affected by tuberous breast with several degrees of hypoplasia and asymmetry were treated with FG, comparing results with those of 30 patients treated with M-SI. Postoperative follow-up took place at 1, 3, 7, 12, 24, 48, weeks, and then annually for 2 years. Results 77% (n = 27) of patients treated with two FG procedures showed excellent results after 1 year compared with the patients treated with only one M-SI procedure, who showed the same results in 73% (n = 22) of cases, but the naturalness and the satisfaction degree in the FG group were higher than that in the M-SI group (p < .0001 vs. M-SI group). Conclusions Patients treated with FG showed natural breasts without scars and excellent cosmetic results after two procedures. Patients treated with M-SI showed more evident and lasting results after only one procedure, presenting though scars and less natural results. Level of Evidence IV This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these evidence-based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266