Endoscopic Transaxillary Breast Augmentation
Technique: One of the latest
developments of breast augmentation involves a new technique
for transaxillary breast augmentation. The procedure, as previously
described, involves the insertion of the saline implant through
a 3 cm (1.81") incision at the top of the armpit. The
implant may be placed either below the pectoralis muscle or
above the muscle in the subglandular position.
Using an endoscope, a tube attached to fiberoptic
equipment that allows the breast augmentation procedure to
be visualized on a television screen, the pocket for the implant
is carefully developed. The advantage is that the breast augmentation
surgeon has total control of the operation. There is no blind
dissection of the space for the implant. The fold below the
breast (inframammary fold) as well as the medial aspect of
the pocket (the cleavage area) is precisely created..
The breast augmentation procedure takes approximately
1-4 hours. It is usually performed in our fully accredited
facility. Patients remain in the recovery for about one hour
after surgery until they are fully awake.
Anesthesia: As in all breast
augmentation procedures, the operation may be performed under
general anesthesia or under IV sedation anesthesia. Our anesthesiologist
is a fully trained, board-certified physician affiliated with
North Shore Anesthesia Associates, for The North Shore University
Hospital on Long Island..
Advantages: The transaxillary breast
augmentation is generally used with patients who do not desire
to have a scar on the breast, even if the scar is inconspicuous.
In addition, patients who have not had a pregnancy or whose
areolar is small may not be able to have a periareolar approach
for the breast augmentation. Endoscopic transaxillary breast
augmentation is ideal for this patient.
By allowing the surgeon to precisely view the
entire operative field, endoscopic transaxillary breast augmentation
should diminish the incidence of asymmetry that may occur
more frequently without this technology.
Convalescence: Patients should
allow a full week to 10 days to resume a full schedule comfortably.
While the rate of return to work depends on the patient, patients
who have a Submuscular implant take longer to recover that
those have Subglandular breast augmentation.
Complications: The rate of
capsular contracture, infection and nipple sensation diminishment
is the same as in all approaches for breast augmentation.
In addition, some patients experience a temporary
numbness of the nipple for several weeks after surgery. This
may last longer or may be permanent in a very small group
of breast augmentation patients.
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