Z-mammaplasty: a novel concept in mastopexy.

BACKGROUND: The inverted-T technique is the most popular skin pattern used for mastopexy, but short scar variations have increased in popularity over recent years. With respect to nipple elevation, superior, superomedial, medial, inferior, lateral, and central pedicle designs have been described.

OBJECTIVES: We introduce a novel concept for mastopexy, the glandular Z-mammaplasty, and assess its anatomic and technical feasibility.

METHODS: Glandular Z-plasty was performed on 15 human female cadavers. Various parameters were measured pre- and postoperatively to assess degree of ptosis and subsequently compared by student t test.

RESULTS: Average pre and postoperative breast width (28.5 ± 4.7 cm, 26.7 ± 3.2 cm, P = .009), breast length (25 ± 6.6 cm and 21.8 ± 4.3 cm P = .005), breast height (10.7 ± 3.7 cm and 9.5 ± 2.9 cm, P = .02), and ptosis degree (1.9 ± 0.9 cm and 0.3 ± 0.5 cm, P < .0001) were determined. Inferior limb transposition moved the nipple closer to the sternal notch and sternum midline an average of 5.3 ± 2.2 cm and 2.4 ± 1.7 cm, respectively. The average Z-plasty degree was 34.5 ± 8.2°. The average central limb length was 8.7 ± 2.1, and the average pedicle width was 5.4 ± 0.8 cm. Buttress support of the nipple was accomplished by caudal transposition of the superior Z-plasty flap and its inset below the nipple.

CONCLUSION: We demonstrate that glandular Z-mammaplasty is indeed feasible. The grade of ptosis was statistically significantly improved, with the nipple moving superiorly an average of 5.3 cm in our study group.