ABSTRACT
Introduction: The anatomical alterations in the male breasts, caused after heavy weight loss, either by diet or after bariatric surgery, have predisposed psychological changes, mainly low self-esteem. This situation has led to an increase in the demand for surgical treatment of this region by men. The great flaccidity of the skin and breast content leads to the fall of the areolopapillary complex (CAP) on the costal edges, causing an unsightly appearance. Several surgical techniques have been described for the treatment of various degrees of gynecomastia and male breast ptosis. Rezende et al. published in 2007 a technique that corrected large male breast ptosis. Based on the techniques already described for the treatment of large gynaecomastia and large male breast ptosis, the idea of using a lower pedicle flap composed of CAP was developed. This flap would facilitate corrections of these anatomical changes through a single arcuate incision, as well as easily reposition the CAP back to its original location.
Methods: Primary, prospective, descriptive study of intervention. The casuistry was of convenience, the patients were allocated in the ambulatory of the Service of Plastic Surgery of the Hospital das Clínicas of Universidade Federal de Pernambuco and private clinic of the author. Thirty-six male patients were operated from 2005 to 2018, who presented ptosis of the breasts and great distance from the CAP of their original location. A flap of inferior pedicle with the areola is made.
Results: The 36 operated patients presented the correction of sagging and CAP ptosis, but two showed scarring hypertrophy, and three, enlarged scars.
Conclusion: The use of the single flap with the inferior pedicle containing the CAP is easy to perform for the correction of the large male breast ptosis, correcting the volume of sagging and repositioning the CAP to its place of origin, maintaining the long term result.
Keywords: Mammaplasty; Gynecomastia; Reconstructive surgical procedures; Surgical flaps; Nipples.