Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Gynecomastia refers to benign enlargement of male mammary tissue as a result of an increase of glandular, ductal, or adiposal components. In this study, we aimed to investigate the need of glandular excision after conventional liposuction in gynecomastia based on the intraoperative evaluation of surgeons.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of males who were operated for gynecomastia between 2013 and 2017. Although all breasts were operated with the liposuction, a glandular excision was also applied to the breasts that were needed depending on the surgeon’s intraoperative evaluation.

RESULTS

A total of 99 breasts (5 unilateral, 47 bilateral) were operated in 52 males (mean age 25.61 years, mean follow-up: 21.5 months). A total of 71 (71.7%) breasts were operated with liposuction alone. The remaining 28 (28.2%) breasts were operated with liposuction followed by glandular excision. Only 8 (11.2%) breasts that underwent liposuction alone needed a revision with glandular re-excision 6 months later. When 8 breasts operated with ductal excision were added, 36 (36.3%) of 99 breasts were operated with liposuction+resection.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

This retrospective study showed that liposuction alone provided satisfactory results in about two thirds of breasts with gynecomastia whereas glandular re-excision becomes necessary in addition to liposuction in a third of patients. Glandular excision should not be avoided when an obvious glandular tissue remained in intraoperative physical examination following liposuction.