[Chest morphology and breast augmentation].

Abstract

When one considers breast augmentation, it is quite important to study the patient thoracic morphology, since the ribs are the base on which the implant rests. They are responsible for the implant orientation, and, in part, for the breast projection. Some malformations are obvious, neither the surgeon nor the patient underestimates the difficulties... However, often exist discreet abnormalities, which don't stick out right away. One must not ignore them, because they affect the result of an ordinary augmentation procedure. They must be identified and evaluated prior surgery. Thus, she will not be surprised or disappointed if the result is not exactly symmetrical, or what she was expecting. Aesthetic surgery requires the same demand than reconstructive surgery. The physical examination must be very thorough, looking for any asymmetry, even minimal, concerning volume, skin and bone. The position of the implants must be discussed not only according to the type of implants (inflatable or gel filled) but also according to the state of the skin, the thickness of the subcutaneous tissue, the amount of gland and the shape of the thorax.