Written By: Stuart A. Linder, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Beverly Hills, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Tubular breast deformities are not all that uncommon. We see them every week in our Beverly Hills surgical practice. By definition, tubular breast deformity is associated with herniation of breast tissue into the nipple areolar complex, constriction along the lower pole of the breast causing a poorly defined inframammary fold. Often the nipple areolar complexes are also lowered causing some degree of sagginess or ptosis.
Repair of the tubular breast can be performed by placing saline or silicone breast implants either through the subglandular or under the muscle with a dual plane technique. In the past implants were usually placed above the muscle in the subglandular pocket. However, presently Dr. Linder places the implant most commonly in the dual plane, two-thirds under and one-third over the muscle, depending upon the degree of the tubular breast deformity. If there is a very thick amount of glandular tissue subglandular retromammary placement may be preferable in order to allow some upper pole fullness along the medial sternal area (towards the middle of the chest cleavage area). If, however, the tubular breast is associated with minimal amounts of breast tissue, then Dr. Linder places the implants usually under the muscle medially in order to reduce visibility palpability of the implant edge.


Reconstruction of a tubular breast in Beverly Hills includes breast augmentation with saline or silicone implants, releasing the inframammary fold, the crease line underneath the breast, to a proper position and scoring of the lower pole of the breast in order to evaginate it outward, allowing it to become more rounded in shape. If there is a significant degree of sagginess, then a breast lift may also be required with a reduction of the size of the areolar.
Postoperatively, a tubular breast should be treated with an upper pole compression band which will allow relaxation of the upper portion of the breast, allow the implant to be inferiorly displaced and allow for the lower pole of the breast to become more rounded and less flattened in shape. The bands can sometimes be worn up to six to eight weeks, depending upon the length and time it takes to lower the implant to regain a normal rounded shape. Tubular breast deformity reconstruction is a challenging operation, but in the hands of a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, can be a wonderful operation with a very satisfied patient.
Stuart. A. Linder, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a Beverly Hills plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in breast augmentation, liposuction, tummy tuck, and more.
Dr. Linder is certified by the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons and is a diplomate of the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).
9675 Brighton Way Suite 420, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
Phone: (310) 275.4513
Fax: (310) 275.4813
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