Surgical treatment of developmental asymmetry of the breast. Long term results.

To evaluate our operative techniques for the treatment of breast asymmetry, 30 patients were interviewed and examined three to 16 years after correction of developmental asymmetry. Breast symmetry was assessed by linear measurements and by subjective evaluation. The most satisfactory long term results were found in the patients who had undergone bilateral reduction mammaplasty or unilateral reduction mammaplasty combined with a contralateral mastopexy. In some cases longer lasting symmetry could be achieved by operating on both breasts using similar techniques. Long term results were not significantly better in those patients who had been operated after reaching the age of 18 years, compared with those of patients operated on at the age of 17 years or younger. To avoid psychological consequences therefore it is not always justifiable to delay operation until the breasts have matured.