Essential concepts in prosthetic breast surgery.

From January, 1975, through January, 1980, a total of 396 patients (792 breasts) underwent prosthetic breast surgery. In 99.4% of them, a transareolar incision was used; in 0.6%, a circumareolar approach was used. The transareolar incision is cosmetically superior, facilitates dissection, does not increase sensory disturbances, and favors early breast manipulation and patient mobilization. It was found that manual capsule release and manipulation must be as complete as possible in order to maintain the submammary space. In fact, from the experience of this period under study, we have concluded that technical factors play a much greater role than was previously believed in the aesthetic success of prosthetic breast surgery.