The dermal overlap subareolar mastopexy: A preliminary report.

[BACKGROUND] The major disadvantage of the circumareolar mastopexy is the risk of hypertrophic scarring and relapse or widening of the areola.

[OBJECTIVE] The author describes a new technique that gives added support to the scar by means of a dermal overlap flap that is buried under the areola.

[METHODS] A doughnut incision is made, with the size of the outer circle dependent on the amount of ptosis to be corrected. The areolar flap is elevated close to the nipple pedicle, a circumferential incision is made through the dermis between the pedicle and the outer incision, and the dermal edge is elevated. After the mastopexy, closure is performed with nonabsorbable purse-string sutures.

[RESULTS] Initial results in a series of 34 cases have been encouraging, with no loss of nipple sensation and with less scarring and more natural nipple projection than occurs in conventional doughnut mastopexy procedures.

[CONCLUSIONS] This technique can be used to reduce scarring in procedures such as mastopexy, breast reduction, and tubular breast correction. (Aesthetic Surg J 2001;21:423-427.).