This area includes a large variation of malformations of the female breast in terms of shape, symmetry, or absence of breast components, of which three malformations are briefly discussed.
A discrete
asymmetry of the breast in shape and size is very common and has no disease value. However, if the breasts differ significantly in their size, shape, height of the nipple complex, etc., a surgical correction may be indicated. This includes the correction of the breast gland shape, adjusting breast lifts, reductions, or enlargements (see there). Which procedure is desired and indicated can only be ascertained in the context of a detailed consultation.
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The tubular breast malformation (popularly called tubular breast) is characterized by the underdevelopment or the absence of the lower mammary gland parts or a shortened breast base with a skin deficit and an enlarged nipple areola. It can occur on one or both sides. The surgical correction includes a spread of the glandular tissue into the lower quadrants of the breast, the tightening (and usually the offset) of the nipple areola, possibly combined with an implant insert or a fat transplant. Often there is a simultaneous breast size asymmetry, which can be corrected at the same time. The scar course depends on the extent of the malformation.
Poland syndrome is characterized in the area of the breast by the absence or underdevelopment of a chest muscle and the large pectoral muscle and thus also of the anterior axilla (the latter is preserved in the so-called Amazon syndrome). The surgical treatment consists of the reconstruction of the missing breast by various autologous tissue procedures, fat transplantation, or a silicone gel implant if necessary after prior expansion of the skin mantle (
see breast reconstruction). As a rule, the front armpit is reconstructed at the same time and, if necessary, the contralateral breast is corrected to align.
Due to the large variety of malformations of the female breast, different surgical methods for correction and thus an individual treatment concept are necessary in each case. As part of the consultation, after a careful examination of the breast, expectations and probability of success, possible complications, necessary preparatory examinations, and follow-up treatment are discussed. When using exact suture techniques, the remaining scars in the chest area are usually tender, pale, and inconspicuous.
Depending on the extent and disease value of the malformation, which can be divided into stages, the costs for a surgical correction are covered by the health insurance companies in the event of high-grade findings.
