Question:
I have heard of several techniques for breast reduction such as anchor scar, vertical or keyhole scar and wise pattern. Can you explain what the different techniques are as well as the pros and cons?
Answer:
All of the different techniques for breast reduction all involve removing of breast tissue and sculpting the breast with different shaped scars. The anchor scar involves an incision that goes around the areola, a vertical scar and a large incision under the breast in the inframammary fold. This is not the technique that we use here. Here the incision is limited to a keyhole shaped or lollipop shaped incision eliminating the large scar under the breast in the inframammary fold thus making for a much nicer scar postoperatively. The other thing that is done is the pattern for the breast reduction is based on a vertical component meaning that the breast tissue that is preserved is based superiorly which also provides for more long lasting results since this eliminates somewhat the effect on gravity on the breasts. This is something that Dr. Polynice would be happy to discuss with you in detail since this is one of the areas that he focuses on in his practice.
About the Author: Dr. Edwin Williams
Dr. Edwin Williams is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who founded The Williams Center in 1993. He has performed over 10,000 facial plastic surgery procedures and has pioneered the deep plane facelift. He served on the Board of Directors for the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery for over a decade, and served as President from 2015-2016. In 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, Dr. Williams earned the Castle Connelly Top Doctors award in New York Facial Plastic Surgery.
Dr. Edwin F. Williams III attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1982. He began medical school at the State University of Buffalo School of Medicine and received his Doctor of Medicine in 1986.
Dr. Williams is actively involved in teaching facial plastic and reconstruction surgery to the residents of the Albany Medical Center and is former Chief of the Section of Facial and Plastic Reconstruction Surgery at Albany Medical Center where he received an academic appointment of Clinical Professor, Department of Surgery.