I have received an email from a patient that had a breast augmentation by another surgeon.  Unfortunately, she experienced symmastia, a condition where one or both implants is able to cross the middle of her chest.  She writes, “are you able to fix it?”

Symmastia can be a very challenging problem to fix.  There are a number of procedures that have been proposed to address it including suture techniques, using flaps or other materials, adjustable implants, implant free periods, and changes in the implant  pocket.   I have used several of these techniques to address this problem with success.  Now, I have something that I feel is more reliable to offer.  The technique was presented by Spear et al. and recommends creating a “Neosubpectoral” pocket if the implant is already in the subpectoral position.  This is a brilliant idea because it uses the patients own tissues to deal with the problem.  It creates a new space for the implant between the pectoralis muscle and the implant capsule.  In this way an appropriately sized pocket can be created that will resist malposition or recurrent symmastia.  It eliminates some of the uncertainty, unreliability, and the drawbacks of a simple change of the implant into the subglandular (in front of the muscle) position. 

Our websites www.beauty-surgeon.com and www.drmckane.com have additional information and before and after photographs of breast augmentation for review.  I invite you to schedule a consultation with me if you would like to learn more about symmastia or its correction.  Please feel free to contact our office at (713) 661-5255 if you have any questions.

-Brice W. McKane, M.D.

© 2009, Dr. McKane. All rights reserved.