Gynaecomastia is a common problem in the male population, particularly in young adults, with a 1 reported prevalence of up to 36% . The term refers to a benign female-like enlargement of the male breast resulting from an increase in ductal tissue, stroma, and/or fat. Enlarged breasts can cause anxiety, self-consciousness and embarrassment, functional problems and psychosocial discomfort and fear of malignancy. It is not surprising therefore, that gynaecomastia is the most common cause for seeking medical advice for a breast condition in men. Surgical options for gynaecomastia include liposuction, open resection, and resection with skin reduction. Outcome studies of surgical correction have generally shown high levels of 2,3 satisfaction . However, Ridha et al demonstrated only a 62.5% of patients within a cohort of 74 4 patients were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with their surgery . Surgery is, therefore, not a decision to be taken without careful patient assessment. Various techniques have been described over the years but no technique has yet gained universal acceptance. We aimed to review all gynaecomastia patients operated on under the care of one consultant in a regional unit over a 7-year period to assess the morbidity and complication rates associated with the procedure and to determine whether certain surgical techniques produced improved outcomes.
1. Nuttal FQ. Gynaecomastia as a physical finding in normal men. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology Metabolism 1979;48:338-40.
2. Fruhstorfer BH, Malata CM. A systematic approach to the surgical treatment of gynaecomastia. British Journal of Plastic Surgery 2003;56:237-46.
3. Wiesman IM, Lehman Jr JA, Parker MG, et al. Gynaecomastia outcome analysis. Annals of Plastic Surgery 2004;53:97-101.
4. Ridha H, Colville RJI, Vesely MJJ. How happy are patients with their gynaecomastia reduction surgery? Journal of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery 2009;62:1473-78.
5. Anderson RC, Cunningham B, Tafesse E, et al. Validation of the breast evaluation questionnaire for use with breast surgery patients. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 2006;118:597-602.
6. Simon BE, Hoffman S, Kahn S. Classification and surgical correction of gynaecomastia. Plastic Reconstructive Surgery 1973;51(1):48-52
7. Colombo-Benkmann M, Buse B, Stern J, Herfarth C. Indications for and results of surgical therapy for male gynaecomastia. American Journal of Surgery 1999;178(1):60-3.
8. Sophocles L, Starren E, Read J et al.
Surgical management of gynaecomastia:
outcomes from our experience. The Breast
2008(17);596-603
All published material becomes the sole property of the Pakistan Journal of Plastic Surgery, copyrighted by the Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons (PAPS). By submitting an article or brief communication, all authors agree to these conditions.
During the submission process, all authors have required to complete a copyright transfer agreement, “Author Consent form” By completing the copyright transfer agreement, you are transferring copyright of figures, tables, videos, and the content of the manuscript to the Pakistan Association of Plastic Surgeons (PAPS).
If you do not wish to or cannot transfer copyright of some or all of your content, please contact the editorial office at pjpspakistan@gmail.com