Reduction mammaplasty by suction alone.

Because unsatisfactory scars often result when traditional methods of reduction mammaplasty are performed, techniques that leave less noticeable scars have been advocated recently. One such technique is suction lipectomy, which has been employed previously, but only for patients who have well-located, small nipple-areola complexes and whose hypertrophy is primarily fat. I have found that concern for the size and location of the nipple-areola complex and cause of hypertrophy are unfounded. Thus reduction mammaplasty by suction alone may be the technique of choice in certain patients. Eleven patients had reduction mammaplasty by suction alone and obtained aesthetically pleasing breasts that had good sensation and minimal scars. As a result, the method is suggested for selected patients: those with minimal to moderately large breasts.