Accessory breast, also known as accessory mammary gland or supernumerary breast, refers to extra breast tissue outside the normal mammary gland. The most common location is the armpit. Due to congenital developmental factors or endocrine influences, some people have obvious hyperplasia of accessory breast during puberty or after pregnancy. Although accessory breast is mostly benign, due to appearance, menstrual pain, repeated inflammation and other problems, more and more women choose to have it removed through surgery. Whether accessory breast removal surgery requires hospitalization is a concern for many patients before deciding on the surgery. This article will focus on this issue and conduct a detailed analysis from the aspects of surgical indications, surgical methods, whether hospitalization is required, postoperative care and risk management.
1. The formation and common symptoms of accessory breast
The formation of accessory breasts is mainly related to the incomplete degeneration of the mammary band during embryonic development. Under normal circumstances, humans only retain a pair of mammary glands in front of the chest, and the rest gradually degenerates. However, if part of the mammary band remains, accessory breasts may form. This type of accessory breast tissue is more common in females, especially during puberty, pregnancy or lactation, and is easily affected by estrogen and enlarged.
Typical manifestations of accessory breasts include:
①, Soft tissue lumps appear in the armpit area;
② Obvious swelling and pain before and after menstruation;
③. The size of accessory breasts may fluctuate with changes in body weight;
④. Nipple-like protrusions and occasional secretions can be seen on the surface of some accessory breasts.
Although accessory breasts are essentially benign, the physical discomfort and aesthetic impact they may cause lead some patients to consider surgical intervention.
2. Indications and contraindications of accessory breast removal surgery
Indications include:
①. Obvious accessory breast tissue affects daily wear or body shape;
② Severe menstrual pain affects the quality of life;
③. Frequent inflammation or infection of accessory breast tissue;
④. Suspected lesions require histopathological examination.
Contraindications include:
① The patient is pregnant or breastfeeding;
② The accessory breast tissue has clear signs of malignancy and requires further systemic treatment;
③. Patients with systemic diseases or coagulation disorders need to be carefully evaluated.
3. Surgical method and technique selection
Accessory breast removal surgery is usually performed under local anesthesia or intravenous anesthesia. The specific surgical method depends on the size, depth and relationship of the accessory breast to the surrounding tissues. The common methods are as follows:
Traditional surgical excision : Complete removal of accessory breast tissue through an axillary incision, while performing necessary hemostasis and suturing. It is suitable for those with larger amounts of tissue.
Liposuction-assisted resection : For those with smaller tissue and mainly fatty accessory breasts, better plastic surgery results can be achieved through negative pressure liposuction combined with a small amount of surgical resection.
Endoscopically assisted resection : Suitable for patients who are sensitive to postoperative scars. Incisions can be made in hidden areas such as the axillary lines, and precise operations can be performed with the help of an endoscope to reduce tissue damage.
4. Does accessory breast surgery require hospitalization?
Whether or not surgery requires hospitalization depends on several factors:
Surgery size and complexity :
For most mild to moderate accessory breasts, it can be performed as a day surgery using local anesthesia. The patient can go home after a few hours of observation after the operation without the need for hospitalization.
Individual physical differences among patients :
If the patient has hypertension, diabetes or other chronic diseases, physiological indicators need to be monitored after surgery, and the doctor may recommend short-term hospitalization for observation.
Postoperative drainage arrangements :
If the surgery involves extensive dissection and placement of drains, hospitalization for 1-2 days is usually required to monitor the drainage and prevent complications.
Patient psychological and recovery needs :
Some patients are concerned about postoperative pain or complications during recovery and may choose to stay in the hospital for a short period of time if the doctor assesses it is feasible.
Therefore, the vast majority of accessory breast surgery patients can choose outpatient day surgery without hospitalization, provided that the preoperative evaluation is favorable. However, whether to be hospitalized should be decided comprehensively based on the doctor's evaluation, intraoperative conditions, and the patient's own needs.
5. Postoperative Care and Recovery Recommendations
Keep the wound dry and clean to prevent infection;
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous exercise to prevent the incision from splitting;
③. Follow the doctor's advice and have regular follow-up visits to check the wound healing;
④ If fever, redness, swelling or exudation occurs after surgery, seek medical attention immediately;
⑤. Correctly wearing medical elastic bandages or shaping garments can help prevent depression in the surgical area and sagging of the skin.
6. Possible complications after surgery and countermeasures
The overall risk of accessory breast removal surgery is low, but the following complications may still occur:
Subcutaneous effusion or hematoma : can be treated by puncture or compression;
Infection in the surgical area : usually manifested as redness, swelling, heat and pain, anti-infection treatment should be given promptly;
Scar formation : Some people with special physical conditions may develop scar hyperplasia, which can be treated with drugs or laser intervention;
Nerve damage : manifested as local numbness, which generally recovers gradually over weeks to months.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Accessory breast removal surgery is a relatively mature surface surgery with little impact on the body. In most cases, hospitalization is not required. However, whether hospitalization is required should be decided by a professional doctor based on individual situation. It is recommended to choose a regular medical institution and conduct preoperative evaluation, surgical operation and postoperative care under the guidance of a professional doctor to ensure safety and effectiveness. At the same time, before the operation, you should fully understand the surgical process, possible complications and recovery period, and make rational choices. In terms of postoperative care, patients should actively cooperate and follow the doctor's orders to obtain a better surgical experience and plastic surgery effect.