Reduction mammaplasty and mastopexy using the vertical scar and thoracic wall flap technique.

Breast surgery has been greatly modified in the past few years as surgeons sought to shorten scars and improve and maintain of breast shape in the late postoperative period. Working with both the periareolar technique and vertical scar technique, it is possible to reduce scar length, avoiding the area below the inframammary crease by compensating skin excess around the areola. From January 2001 to July 2002, 53 patients underwent reduction mammaplasty and/or mastopexy using the vertical scar technique associated to a thoracic-based flap kept under a bipedicled flap of the pectoralis major muscle. The goal of this combination is to achieve a good aesthetic result: a reduced scar, minimal breast descent, and good upper pole fullness.