Accessory breast removal surgery is a common plastic surgery that aims to remove excess breast tissue on the sides of the chest or underarms to help improve the patient's appearance or physical discomfort caused by accessory breasts. Accessory breasts are abnormal manifestations of human breast development and usually appear on the sides of the chest, underarms, upper abdomen or near the sternum. Although accessory breast removal surgery has become a common and mature surgical method, it is still accompanied by significant risks and complications. When deciding whether to undergo such surgery, patients need to fully understand the relevant risk factors and make rational judgments.
Basic concepts of accessory breast removal surgery
Accessory breasts are additional breasts formed due to incomplete degeneration or abnormal development of breast tissue during embryonic development. They usually proliferate due to hormonal changes during puberty or pregnancy. Accessory breasts usually appear as small lumps in the armpits or sides of the chest. Sometimes there may be slight breast secretion function, causing discomfort to the patient. Accessory breast removal surgery improves the appearance by removing excess breast tissue and alleviates problems such as chest asymmetry and abnormal breast secretion caused by accessory breast hyperplasia.
Risks of mastectomy
Although mastectomy is generally considered a relatively safe procedure, like any surgical procedure, it carries risks, and understanding these risks can help patients make more informed decisions.
1. Surgical infection
Any surgery carries the risk of infection, and accessory breast removal surgery is no exception. Although modern medical technology and the use of antibiotics have significantly reduced the incidence of infection, the possibility of infection cannot be completely ruled out. Postoperative local symptoms such as redness, swelling, pain, increased secretions, or fever may all be signs of infection. If not treated promptly, the wound may not heal and may even require another surgical debridement.
2. Bleeding and hematoma
During the operation, the removal of accessory breast tissue may damage surrounding blood vessels, leading to postoperative bleeding or hematoma formation. A small amount of bleeding is a common physiological reaction after surgery, but if the amount of bleeding is large, emergency hemostasis or reoperation may be required. Hematoma is formed by the accumulation of blood in the body, usually manifested as swelling and congestion. If not treated in time, it may lead to infection in the surgical area, delayed healing, and even affect the final surgical effect.
3. Nerve damage
During the accessory breast removal surgery, the doctor needs to be careful to avoid important surrounding nerve structures, such as the nerves in the chest, armpits and upper limbs. If the nerves are accidentally damaged, it may cause neurological dysfunction such as numbness, tingling or loss of sensation after the operation. Although this situation is relatively rare, it still needs to be taken seriously. During the postoperative recovery period, some patients may experience temporary numbness, which usually gradually improves as the recovery process progresses, but in a few cases, permanent nerve damage may occur.
4. Postoperative scar hyperplasia
Surgical incisions need to be healed by sutures. Some patients may develop obvious scars after surgery, or even develop scar hyperplasia (such as hypertrophic scars or keloids). These scars may not only affect the postoperative appearance, but may also cause skin tightness, pain and other discomforts. Avoiding exposing the incisions to the sun and using anti-scar products properly can help reduce scar formation.
5. Breast symmetry issues
Accessory breast removal surgery requires precise operation to ensure the symmetry of the breast after surgery. Although in most cases, the surgery can achieve good results, if the removal is asymmetrical or excessive, it may cause asymmetrical breast shape and affect the patient's physical beauty. Especially for those patients with complex accessory breast development, the surgical design needs to be more meticulous to avoid affecting the overall appearance of the breast.
6. Anesthesia Risks
Accessory breast removal surgery is usually performed under general or local anesthesia. Anesthesia itself has its own risks, especially for the elderly or patients with underlying diseases, the anesthetic reaction may be more complicated. Complications during anesthesia include allergic reactions, dyspnea, blood pressure fluctuations, etc. Although these problems are relatively rare, they are still important risk factors that need to be considered.
7. Misdiagnosis of breast tissue
In some cases, accessory breasts may present similarly to breast tumors or other lesions, and detailed imaging examinations (such as ultrasound, CT, or MRI) may be required before surgery to confirm the diagnosis. If accessory breasts are mistakenly identified as other lesions during accessory breast removal surgery, unnecessary removal or delays in treatment may result. Therefore, a comprehensive preoperative examination is essential to ensure that misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis does not occur after surgery.
How to reduce the risks of mastectomy surgery
1. Choose an experienced doctor
The success of accessory breast removal surgery depends largely on the doctor's technical level and experience. Choosing a plastic surgeon with complete qualifications and rich surgical experience can greatly reduce the risk of surgery and ensure postoperative results and safety.
2. Adequate preoperative evaluation and examination
A comprehensive preoperative evaluation is crucial to prevent postoperative complications. Patients should undergo detailed breast imaging to ensure the distinction between accessory breast and other lesions. The patient's physical health should also be assessed before surgery to ensure that there are no chronic diseases or other contraindications to surgery.
3. Strictly follow the postoperative care recommendations
Postoperative care is crucial to surgical effectiveness and recovery. Patients should strictly follow the doctor's advice on wound care to avoid infection and scar hyperplasia. At the same time, they should maintain good living habits and avoid excessive exercise or traction on the surgical area to help reduce the occurrence of postoperative complications.
4. Pay attention to your body's reactions and seek medical attention promptly
After the operation, patients should pay close attention to their body's reactions. If any abnormal conditions such as redness, swelling, fever, excessive bleeding, etc. occur, they should seek medical treatment in time. Early intervention can effectively prevent the occurrence of complications and ensure smooth recovery after surgery.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Although accessory breast removal surgery is a common surgical procedure, it still carries certain risks. When deciding whether to undergo such surgery, patients need to fully understand the relevant risks and make decisions under the guidance of professional doctors. Adequate preoperative examinations, precise intraoperative operations, and postoperative care measures will help reduce surgical risks and improve the quality of postoperative recovery. Choose qualified and experienced doctors, and maintain good communication and follow-up to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the surgery.