Tuberous breast

Les seins tubéreux désignent une condition anatomique du sein qui se caractérise par un développement anormal de la glande mammaire. Cette malformation survient généralement à la puberté, sa morphologie est caractérisée par:

• Forme conique ou tubulaire
• Anomalie à la base de l’implantation mammaire qui est étroite
• Protrusion aréolaire
• Hypotrophie mammaire
• Écartement important entre les seins

Les seins tubéreux peuvent être unilatéraux ou bilatéraux, auquel cas une forte asymétrie mammaire est visible. Bien que la plupart du temps, les seins tubéreux touchent les deux parties, la malformation n’est pas forcément au même stade d’avancement.

Les mamelons peuvent également paraître saillants ou mal positionnés.

Breasts are anatomically divided into four parts, each more or less affected depending on the degree of advancement of the tuberous malformation: upper outer quadrant, upper inner quadrant, lower outer quadrant, and lower inner quadrant.

Thus, several evolutions of tuberous breasts are observed, with the first stage representing the majority of cases.

• Stage 1: The lower inner quadrant is affected, and the areola points downward and inward.
• Stage 2: Both lower quadrants are involved. The inframammary fold is then positioned higher.
• Stage 3: Deformation is observed on all four quadrants. The breast takes on a tubular shape, the areolas are prominent, and the distance between two breasts is greater.

Depending on each case, two breast plastic surgery solutions can be considered:

• Breast augmentation through the placement of breast implants may be recommended to restore lost volume and improve breast shape.
• Breast lipofilling, which involves autologous fat transfer, may be indicated to reshape the size and volume of the breasts.

In addition to these methods, the surgeon can also improve breast shape by performing skin adjustments, repositioning, and reducing the size of the areolas.

Whether through breast augmentation with implants or through lipofilling, correcting tuberous breasts is a procedure performed under general anesthesia in the operating room. Most often, it is done on an outpatient basis, and in some cases, a short overnight hospital stay may be necessary.

Like any surgical procedure, swelling and bruising around the breasts may persist for a few weeks. Rest is advised to allow the body to recover, and physical activities should be avoided as much as possible.

Pain is manageable with painkillers. A special compression bra is recommended to support the breasts during the healing process. Showering is possible the day after surgery, and dressings will need to be changed. The sutures are absorbable.

Results are noticeable immediately after the operation but are optimal after the recovery period, allowing for the swelling to subside. Scarring is concealed and barely visible.

Following the correction, the breasts are symmetrical with a natural appearance, widened base, and appropriate projection.

Patients regain a balanced silhouette with shapely and uniform breasts.

Surgical correction of tuberous breasts typically costs between 3000 and 6000 euros.