Seins tubéreux

Tuberous Breast and Poland Syndrome: An Underestimated Association?

AIM OF THE STUDY

 Both Poland syndrome (PS) and tuberous breast (TB) are anomalies affecting the breast, but they are considered mutually exclusive. Our aim was to determine the possible coexistence of PS and TB and to discuss TB management when associated with PS.

METHODS

 Between 2010 and 2023, 51 female adolescent PS patients were studied at our center. Among these, we evaluated those who developed TB after puberty. PS diagnosis was made based on the hypoplasia or absence of pectoralis major muscle detected clinically and confirmed radiologically. Breast anomaly on PS side was classified with Thorax Breast and Nipple (TBN) classification: B1 corresponds to breast hypoplasia, B2 to breast aplasia. TB diagnosis was made with a clinical evaluation after puberty. TB cases were classified according to Grolleau classification.

MAIN RESULTS

 Among 51 postpubertal PS females, we identified 23 (45%) who developed TB. In 3 cases (13%) TB was bilateral, in 20 (87%) contralateral to PS affected side. Age at time of the first surgical procedure was 16 years. Patients were treated with breast implants, fat grafting, rigotomy, local flaps, or a combination of these. TB treatment was performed simultaneously with PS breast reconstruction when feasible, or after it.

CONCLUSIONS

 TB incidence in our series was almost twice than in general population. This is the first study demonstrating and quantifying this association. TB deformity must be considered while defining PS surgical path in adolescents. Fat grafting is the first surgical option to treat both anomalies. A multidisciplinary approach is needed to minimize number of surgeries and maximize cosmetic results.

The Different Surgical Strategies for Treating Tuberous Breast Deformity: A Scoping Review

Tuberous breast deformity is a congenital breast anomaly that emerges during puberty and is characterized by breast base constriction, breast hypoplasia, superior malposition of the inframammary fold, enlarged areola, herniation of breast tissue into the areola and breast asymmetry. Patients may exhibit one, several or all of these characteristics in their unilateral or bilateral deformity presentation. Numerous surgical treatments have been described, yet no consensus has been reached regarding the optimal treatment. A scoping review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines using the following databases: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane, Web of Science, Scopus, clinicaltrial.gov and ICTRP databases. Inclusion criteria were English- or French-language articles published after January 1, 2000 that included at least 20 patients in their study on the surgical treatment of tuberous breast deformity in women. The initial electronic database search identified 2,210 records, 27 of which met the inclusion criteria. We summarized the 27 articles, focusing on the classification system, number of patients, treatments for hypoplasia, constricted ring, areolar herniation, enlargement and incision used. This review explored the different surgical approaches suited to the varying characteristics of tuberous breast deformity. It is important to consider the various surgical approaches to achieve the most suitable treatment as each patient presents with unique characteristics and preferences.

[Lipomodeling for congenital breast deformities: Technique, results and indications]

Congenital breast deformities usually occur during adolescence and can disturb the self-development and affect the identity during this crucial stage. Several surgical techniques are now available to correct these different anomalies. The objective is to clarify the place of lipomodeling in thoraco-mammary malformations, resuming the different indications, the results, as well as the limits and potential complications. The adipose tissue was harvested by soft aspiration as to reduce adipocyte trauma and using a syringe fitted with a 3.5mm cannula. After centrifugation, fat was reinjected retrogradely and by making thin cylinders of fat similar to "spaghetti". Moderate to severe asymmetry is one of the best indications for lipomodeling using one or two sessions. Thus, a perfect and lasting symmetry is achieved, without the need of an implant, which would inevitably leads to asymmetry because of a dissimilar evolution of the breast all over the time. In Becker's nevus syndrome, lipomodeling has also been performant in bluring the hyperpigmentation of the nevus. The role of lipomodeling in pectus excavatum deformity (antero-posterior sternocostal depression) is also crucial. Lipomodeling can be used alone, or in combination with a rigid customed silicone implant. Tuberous breasts include various anomalies. Lipomodeling is currently used especially when the anomaly is unilateral (2 fat graft sessions are usually needed). Fasciotomies are frequently performed too. Lipomodeling is a real revolution in the management of Poland syndrome (anomaly characterized by the unilateral lack of the pectoralis major muscle, more or less associated with other ipsilateral anomalies). On average, 3 to 5 sessions are necessary to obtain a suitable symmetry. Lipomodeling is very unlikely to cause major surgical complications. Cytosteatonecrosis nodules mainly occur with novice practitioner and decrease as they become more experienced. However, the principle of the three-dimensional network, and the phenomenon of tissue saturation of the recipient site should be respected. The main limitation of lipomodeling is directly related to the amount of fat available. That's why it is very important to evaluate it during the first clinical consultation, and to carefully select the patients eligible in order to limit the risk of failure. Lipomodeling of congenital breast anomalies is a technique well established, with a precise algorithm to follow, and is a procedure with low surgical risk, less scarring, cosmetic and lasting results. This technique is to be suggested as a first line treatment in all indications of congenital breast deformities, alone or combined to an implant. Therefore, it seems essential that a plastic surgeon fully master the indications and the use of fat tissue transfer procedure, in order to obtain natural and harmonious results.

Correction of tuberous breast deformity: A retrospective study comparing lipofilling versus breast implant augmentation

Breast implants and, more recently, autologous fat grafting are the two most common treatments used to correct tuberous breast deformity (TBD). The post-surgical quality of life between the two techniques is not well demonstrated. This study aimed to compare satisfaction and health-related quality of life in patients affected by TBD between these two techniques. All TBD patients operated between January 2008 and May 2015 were retrospectively identified, and only those treated with implants or lipofilling were included. Satisfaction was evaluated at least 6 months after surgery with the postoperative Breast-Q^® augmentation module. From January 2008 to May 2015, 62 patients were recruited in our study, and 37 patients were evaluated using a Breast-Q questionnaire after at least 6 months of follow-up. Breast implant-augmented patients were significantly more satisfied concerning the "satisfaction with breasts" module (p = 0.002) and the "satisfaction with outcome" module (p = 0.00008). A question-by-question analysis revealed several interesting and significant differences, showing higher scores in most of the questions in the breast implant group. Patients in the lipofilling group, interestingly, had a mean of 1.6 interventions compared to the mean 1.36 interventions in the implant group (p = 0.23). This reflects the need to perform more surgical sessions in the lipofilling group to achieve a satisfactory result. Our study demonstrated that tuberous breast correction with implants can achieve better satisfaction along with good outcomes than lipofilling usually does.