Breast augmentation with autologous tissue: an alternative to implants.

The demand for alternative methods in lieu of silicone implants has been increasing for quite some time. Whereas saline implants have been in use in the United States for a number of years, I describe in detail a new variation of the established latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap and its application in breast augmentation. A small strip of the latissimus dorsi muscle is utilized as a pedicled deepithelialized dermis and fat flap just sufficient to support the thoracodorsal vessels, leaving the major part of the muscle functionally intact. In 13 patients 20 flaps were transposed by this method. The time required for the operation was reduced to less than 1 hour for each breast. Results suggest that the operation can be a true alternative to implants.