Oren Lapid1. 1. Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, Postbus 22660, 1100 DD, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, olapid@yahoo.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Gestational gigantomastia (GGM) is a rare complication of pregnancy. Management usually is initiated with bromocriptine. If this is unsuccessful, surgery may be required. The surgical management may be by breast reduction or by mastectomy and delayed reconstruction. CASE: A 24-year-old woman (G1P0) presented at 24 weeks gestation with massive hypertrophy of her breasts. A decision to operate was made by a multidisciplinary team. At 30 weeks gestation, bilateral mastectomies were performed, with removal of more than 8 kg per side. Reconstruction was started 10 months after delivery using tissue expanders followed by definitive implants. CONCLUSION: GGM can be successfully reconstructed. Knowledge of the treatment process and the expected outcomes can help clinicians inform their patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .
BACKGROUND:Gestational gigantomastia (GGM) is a rare complication of pregnancy. Management usually is initiated with bromocriptine. If this is unsuccessful, surgery may be required. The surgical management may be by breast reduction or by mastectomy and delayed reconstruction. CASE: A 24-year-old woman (G1P0) presented at 24 weeks gestation with massive hypertrophy of her breasts. A decision to operate was made by a multidisciplinary team. At 30 weeks gestation, bilateral mastectomies were performed, with removal of more than 8 kg per side. Reconstruction was started 10 months after delivery using tissue expanders followed by definitive implants. CONCLUSION:GGM can be successfully reconstructed. Knowledge of the treatment process and the expected outcomes can help clinicians inform their patients. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE V: 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 .