Symmastia Correction
What is it?
One of the complications, albeit rare, linked to breast augmentation with insertion of implants is post-surgical symmastia, also known as the "unisine effect" or loss of the intermammary fold. Often this problem can cause not only discomfort but also associated discomfort such as pain. Symmastia is a breast anomaly in which the tissue of the breast fold, which normally separates the two breasts, detaches from the sternum, creating an unified effect between the two breasts.
The causes of symmastia can be of two types:
- Congenital: Some women are born with excessively large and developed breasts, which can cause the breasts to merge in their medial part, creating the effect of a single breast.
- Surgical complications: Symmasia can also result from breast augmentation surgery. If implants that are too large for the patient's body structure are inserted, or if the insertion is carried out incorrectly, this can compromise the breast fold. Inexperienced surgeons may also create surgical pockets too close to the midline of the chest, further compromising the connective tissue above the sternum.
Symmasia can range from mild to severe:
- Symmasia Mild: Here the union of the two breasts is barely perceptible, but should still be correct.
- Severe Symmasia: In this situation, there is a complete detachment of the skin above the sternum, causing a total union of the breasts. This can lead to aesthetic, functional and psychological problems for the patient.
Some fundamental information to be able to correct symmastia resulting from surgical complications.
It is not possible to insert larger dentures during the correction. Increasing the size of the prosthesis could aggravate the symmasia, accentuating the irregularities.
In many cases, the incision to correct symmasia is made in the same place as the previous breast augmentation scar. If a mastopexy is necessary, the scars may be more noticeable.
FAQ
Symmastia can be either a surgical or congenital complication.
In the first case, it can arise both due to the improper positioning of the breast implants, with the creation of surgical pockets so close to the midline of the chest as to compromise the integrity of the connective tissue above the sternum, and due to the insertion of breast implants too large, such as to reduce the space between the breasts. If it is congenital, symmastia is present from birth and is frequent in women who have particularly large and developed breasts, with the medial part of the breast very united and attached.
In the first case, it can arise both due to the improper positioning of the breast implants, with the creation of surgical pockets so close to the midline of the chest as to compromise the integrity of the connective tissue above the sternum, and due to the insertion of breast implants too large, such as to reduce the space between the breasts. If it is congenital, symmastia is present from birth and is frequent in women who have particularly large and developed breasts, with the medial part of the breast very united and attached.
It is necessary to undergo a consultation with the plastic surgeon, who will evaluate whether this complication is present and its degree of severity: symmastia can be mild or severe and often the severe one involves a complete union of the two breasts and a complete detachment of the skin on the sternal part, leading to functional problems of the breasts as well as aesthetic ones.
At least 6 months must have passed since the previous surgery.
At least 6 months must have passed since the previous surgery.
Symmastia correction surgery is a very complex operation because a real reconstruction of the line on the sternal plane between the two breasts is performed.
During the operation, the old prostheses are removed and the space between the two breasts is recreated through the internal reconstruction along the medial part of those tissues that have lost their adherence to the sternal plane.
In more severe cases it is necessary to use biological mesh or GalaFlex, a biopolymer mesh, useful for making the reconstruction more stable and reducing the risk of recurrence as they better distribute the load of the prosthesis on the reconstructed area.
When choosing new prostheses, it is recommended not to place prostheses that are too larger than those that were removed in order to correct the symmastia.
Whenever possible, we always try to maintain the same access as the previous surgery.
The duration of the operation varies based on the patient's initial conditions and the complexity of the symmastia.
The operation takes place under general anesthesia with an overnight stay in the clinic.
Most of the time, drainage is necessary.
During the operation, the old prostheses are removed and the space between the two breasts is recreated through the internal reconstruction along the medial part of those tissues that have lost their adherence to the sternal plane.
In more severe cases it is necessary to use biological mesh or GalaFlex, a biopolymer mesh, useful for making the reconstruction more stable and reducing the risk of recurrence as they better distribute the load of the prosthesis on the reconstructed area.
When choosing new prostheses, it is recommended not to place prostheses that are too larger than those that were removed in order to correct the symmastia.
Whenever possible, we always try to maintain the same access as the previous surgery.
The duration of the operation varies based on the patient's initial conditions and the complexity of the symmastia.
The operation takes place under general anesthesia with an overnight stay in the clinic.
Most of the time, drainage is necessary.
Recovery times from symmastia correction surgery vary from 1 to 2 weeks, and work activities can be resumed after 7-10 days. However, you should avoid lifting weights or engaging in strenuous physical activity for 4 to 6 weeks. Swelling and increased sensitivity are common discomforts. Using a surgical bra helps promote rapid healing.
In order to reduce post-operative pain, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving drugs will be prescribed. In order to reduce the risk of infection, the patient will undergo antibiotic therapy.
Usually, in the correction of symmastia, the scar from the previous breast augmentation surgery is used. The scar will, however, be slightly larger.
The result of the surgical intervention depends on various factors such as the initial clinical condition of the patient, the healing capacity and the observance of the post-operative instructions given by the surgeon: avoid inappropriate movements, abstain from sun exposure until complete stabilization of the scars. The definitive profile will be visible after about a year but the results and benefits will be noticeable immediately.
Symmastia may be at risk of recurring, especially if it is very severe. The possibility is quite rare but it can still happen precisely because of the complete detachment on the sternal plane.
In some cases it is very difficult to correct, especially in patients who want particularly large breasts.
In some cases it is very difficult to correct, especially in patients who want particularly large breasts.
When asked about costs, it is impossible to give a price or even an estimate. All breast augmentation procedures are customized for each patient, and costs vary depending on the type of implants chosen, the clinic selected, the complexity of the operation and other factors. Therefore, I cannot reply via email or WhatsApp on how much the surgery costs without having carried out a specialist visit. As for the before and after results, I invite you to view my page Instagram.
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