COMPARISON OF OUTCOMES IN SUPEROPEDICLE & INFEROPEDICLE TECHNIQUE OF BREAST REDUCTION SURGERY: A RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

Purpose: The preservation of the nipple-areola complex after reduction mammoplasty is the ultimate goal. The aim of this paper is to compare the inferior with the superior pedicle based on age, wound healing, NAC to identify which technique is more reliable aesthetically. Method: Using the Semmes-Weinstein monofilament the sensitivity was evaluated in 20 patients underwent a bilateral reduction mammoplasty: 10 were treated with inferior pedicle technique and 10 with a superior pedicle technique. The test areas were the nipple, the four quadrants of the areola and the 4 quadrants of the breast skin at 24 months postoperatively. Results: The major alterations were noted in women treated with superior pedicle techniques. Minor differences were found in the sensitivity of the breast skin. Conclusion: Inferior pedicle technique is safe and reliable, great wound healing and less complication rate than the superior pedicle technique. Keywords: Mammaplasty, breast reduction, sensation, inferior pedicle, superior pedicle