Accessory breast removal surgery is a common plastic surgery procedure that aims to remove excess breast tissue located on the chest or armpits. The existence of accessory breasts is due to the incomplete degeneration of the mammary glands during embryonic development, which leads to the formation of additional breast tissue in other parts of the chest. The size, shape and position of accessory breasts vary, which may sometimes cause discomfort to the patient or affect the appearance. This article will introduce in detail the surgical principles, surgical procedures, postoperative care and possible complications of accessory breast removal surgery to provide reference for medical practice.
1. Principle of surgery
The basic principle of accessory breast removal surgery is to remove unnecessary breast tissue, fat and related structures from the chest or armpits to restore the normal breast shape. Accessory breasts are essentially excess breast tissue. Their functions are similar to those of normal breasts, but they usually do not have the ability to secrete milk. During the operation, the doctor will choose the appropriate incision and technique based on the size, location and depth of the accessory breast to ensure that the tissue is removed completely while avoiding damage to important surrounding structures such as the breast, nerves and blood vessels.
2. Preoperative Preparation
1. Clinical evaluation and examination
Preliminary evaluation of accessory breast removal surgery is crucial. The patient first needs to undergo a breast B-ultrasound examination to determine the size, location and presence of other breast lesions of the accessory breast. During the examination, the doctor will also use imaging methods such as breast mammography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to further determine the nature and location of the accessory breast.
2. Risk assessment and individualized design
The doctor will develop an individualized surgical plan based on the specific location and size of the accessory breast and the patient's personal needs. If the accessory breast is located in a more sensitive or complex area of the breast, special surgical methods or additional postoperative care may be required. During this process, the patient needs to inform the doctor of past medical history, history of drug allergies, etc., to help the doctor assess the risks of the operation.
3. Informed consent and preoperative preparation
Before the operation, the doctor needs to explain to the patient the surgical steps, postoperative recovery and possible complications (such as infection, bleeding, scar formation, etc.), ensure that the patient understands the risks of the operation, and signs an informed consent form on this basis . In addition, the patient must comply with the preoperative fasting and water abstinence requirements and make basic lifestyle adjustments.
3. Surgical Procedure
Accessory breast removal surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia or general anesthesia . The operation time is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour. The specific process is as follows:
1. Surgical marking and positioning
Before the operation, the patient will be asked to stand or lie down, and the doctor will mark the accessory breast area to determine the location and shape of the incision. Accessory breasts are usually located near the chest, armpits or upper arms. The marking process needs to be precise to ensure that the contour of the breast after removal is symmetrical and natural.
2. Incision and removal of accessory breast tissue
Depending on the size and location of the accessory breast, the doctor will choose the appropriate incision method. Common incision methods include:
Perialoella incision : Suitable for small accessory breasts located near the breast. The incision is concealed and the postoperative scar is not obvious.
Axillary incision : For axillary accessory breast, axillary incision is often used, which can effectively hide scars.
Longitudinal incision : Suitable for accessory breasts that are larger or located in multiple directions. The incision position can be adjusted according to actual conditions.
After the incision, the doctor will carefully remove the breast tissue, fat and other tissues of the accessory breast by peeling off the surrounding tissue. During the operation, the doctor needs to pay special attention to protecting the surrounding nerves, blood vessels and breast tissue to ensure the safety of the operation.
3. Hemostasis and suturing
After removing the accessory breast tissue, the doctor will perform hemostasis to ensure that there are no bleeding points in the surgical area. Then, the incision will be sutured layer by layer using absorbable or non-absorbable sutures to ensure the smoothness and beauty of the wound during healing. Finally, appropriate postoperative bandaging will be performed as needed.
IV. Postoperative Care
Postoperative nursing care is very important and directly affects the recovery effect and the occurrence of complications. The key points of postoperative nursing care include:
1. Pain management and medication use
Patients may experience varying degrees of pain after surgery, especially at the incision site. Doctors will usually prescribe painkillers based on the degree of pain to ensure the patient's comfort. It is recommended to rest in bed and avoid excessive activity within 1-2 days after surgery.
2. Wound care
After the operation, the surgical area should be kept clean and dry to avoid water. The doctor will instruct the patient on how to care for the wound and regularly check for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, and secretions. Generally, the stitches will be removed 5-7 days after the operation, and there will be some redness and swelling at the incision site, but healing will gradually become smooth over time.
3. Activity restriction and recovery management
Within a few weeks after surgery, patients should avoid strenuous exercise and excessive activity of the upper limbs, especially avoid lifting heavy objects, so as not to affect wound healing. Patients can gradually resume normal activities under the guidance of a doctor. Within a few months after surgery, avoid chest pressure or external force to prevent incision tearing or scar hyperplasia.
4. Regular review
Regular check-ups should be conducted after surgery, and the doctor will evaluate the wound healing and whether there are any complications. Generally speaking, the scars at the surgical site will gradually fade within 3-6 months, but the shape and extent of the scars are also affected by personal constitution.
5. Possible complications
Although accessory breast removal surgery is a relatively simple plastic surgery, there is still a high risk of complications. Common complications include:
1. Infection
Local infection after surgery is a common complication and can usually be controlled with appropriate antibiotic treatment.
2. Bleeding
Bleeding problems often occur within a short period of time after surgery. If heavy bleeding occurs, hemostasis is required.
3. Scar problem
Some patients may have more obvious postoperative scars, especially when the incision is long. Scars can be effectively improved through early scar management and appropriate physical therapy.
4. Skin or breast tissue damage
If the surgery is not done correctly, it may damage the surrounding skin or breast tissue, but this problem is rare.
Beauty Encyclopedia Tips:
Accessory breast removal surgery is a safe and effective plastic surgery, but patients should undergo preoperative evaluation under the guidance of a professional doctor and choose a reasonable surgical plan. Postoperative care is equally important. Patients need to actively cooperate with the doctor's advice and avoid excessive activity and external stimulation to promote recovery. In addition, understanding possible complications and risks and preparing according to personal physical condition will help maximize the postoperative effect.