Fundamentals of Breast Reduction

Breast reduction is one of the most common aesthetic surgeries, well known to produce improvement in the repositioning of the nipple, excess parenchyma removal, and tailoring the skin to fit the new shape providing patients relief from back and neck pain symptoms. Over the years, numerous techniques have been promulgated, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. This chapter attempts to provide a concise overview of breast reduction, highlighting the importance of a standardized practice, focused on achieving natural, reliable, predictable, and long-lasting results. The plastic surgeon must understand that a satisfactory result will depend on managing expectations, proper patient selection, adequate preoperative planning, assessing risk factors, meticulous surgical technique, and close follow-up of the patient.