Comment to "Postero-Inferior Pedicle Surgical Technique for the Treatment of Grade III Gynecomastia"

Incidence of Complications for Different Approaches in Gynecomastia Correction: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Background

Gynecomastia is nowadays a very common disease, affecting a large cohort of patients with different ages. The aim of this literature review is to assess the incidence of complications with all proposed techniques and for combined procedures versus single approach procedures in gynecomastia correction.

Materials and Methods

A systematic review of the literature was performed to identify all reported techniques for gynecomastia correction covering a period from January 1, 1987 to November 1, 2020. For all selected papers, demographic data, proposed technique, and complications’ incidence have been recorded.

Results

A total number of 3970 results was obtained from database analysis. A final total number of 94 articles was obtained for 7294 patients analyzed. Patients have been divided into three groups: aspiration techniques, consisting in 874 patients (11,98%), surgical excision techniques, consisting in 2764 patients (37,90%), and combined techniques, consisting in 3656 patients (50,12%). Complications have been recorded for all groups, for a total number of 1407, of which 130 among “Aspiration techniques” group (14,87%), 847 among “Surgical excision techniques” group (30,64%), and 430 in “Combined techniques” group (11,76%).

Conclusions

Several techniques have been proposed in the literature to address gynecomastia, with the potential to greatly improve self-confidence and overall appearance of affected patients. The combined use of surgical excision and aspiration techniques seems to reduce the rate of complications compared to surgical excision alone, but the lack of unique classification and the presence of several surgical techniques still represents a bias in the literature review.

Level of Evidence III

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Gynecomastia and Chest Masculinization: An Updated Comprehensive Reconstructive Algorithm

BACKGROUND

Gynecomastia is a common finding in males. Clinical aspect varies widely in world populations showing peculiar hallmarks according to different body shapes reflecting personal expectations; therefore, a surgical plan must be tailored on individual basis to all type of patients.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

A total of 522 patients, treated for bilateral gynecomastia from January 2007 to January 2019, were included and reviewed in this retrospective study. Considering physical status BMI, muscular trophism, hypertrophy of the mammary region, nipple-areola disorder, gland and skin cover consistency, a four-tier classification system has been used to classify the deformity and to assess a surgical plan. In all cases, a subcutaneous mastectomy was performed under direct vision.

RESULTS

No recurrence of the deformity was observed as well as major complications such as necrosis, and high level of satisfaction was observed in all groups. No breast cancer was found at the histological examinations Operative time ranged from 25 minutes up to 120 minutes and hospitalization time ranged from 1 to 3 days.

CONCLUSION

Since the physical status is strictly related to the clinical features of the disorder, a comprehensive classification system and a reconstructive algorithm are proposed.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.

Male Tuberous Breast: A Rare Variant of Gynecomastia. Clinical Considerations and Personal Experience: Tips and Tricks to Maximize Surgical Outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Tuberous breast deformity, even rarely, might be observed in the gynecomastia population. It can clinically appear very similar to tuberous breast in females, including a footprint resembling a feminine inframammary fold (IMF). Because of its anatomical characteristics, its correction could benefit from particular surgical measures and therefore it should be careful diagnosed. A clear footprint defining a very feminine inframammary fold is very difficult to correct and renders very difficult the management of the extra skin. Transection of the fibrous constrictions at the level of inframammary fold is not sufficient to obtain a satisfactory result, and adjunctive surgical measurements are required.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

From January 2007 to December 2015, twenty-one patients, affected by gynecomastia with tuberous breast deformity, underwent surgical correction consisting of parenchyma debulking and transection of the stenotic fibrous ring of the footprint. The recontouring of the chest profile was optimized using parenchymal flaps which helped to maximize the surgical correction with minimal scarring.

RESULT

The mean age at surgery was 28.8 years. The average follow-up period was 32 months. The average hospitalization stay was 1.28 days. Routine laboratory tests and histological examinations did not demonstrate any anomalies. No major complications and no recurrences of the disorders have not been observed. No major complications were reported: one seroma, one skin depression, two scar revisions and three cases of bilateral minimal crescent ptotic skin appearance were observed.

CONCLUSION

Although tuberous breast in the gynecomastia population is a rare clinical entity, it should be taken into consideration because it could benefit from some specific surgical measures. The use of glandular flaps showed a satisfactory reshaping of the pectoral area.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.