Direct Excision

Mammary gland-type accessory breasts contain real breast tissue (end of the real breast) with only approximately 30% fat; thus, they are harder and sometimes even tender to touch. They sometimes swell with the menstrual cycle and are commonly observed with an accessory nipple (third nipple). If a patient is diagnosed with mammary gland-type accessory breasts, then surgery to remove the mammary gland tissue is necessary. An incision is made similar to that in augmentation surgeries at the crease of the axillary skin with an average length of 3–4 cm. Along with removing the major mammary gland, the surgery also removes excess skin to prevent loose or sagging skin. The excised breast tissue can be sent for pathological inspection to ensure that there is no possibility of any malignant change in place.

Surgical contents

Duration

0hr
  • Type of anesthesia: IV sedation + local anesthesia
  • Type of incision: Approximately 3–4-cm axillary incision
  • Recovery: Within 3 days
  • Removal of stitches: 7–10 days

General instructions

No food and water on the day of surgery

0hr
  • Arm exercises such as lifting weights or swinging should be avoided for 3 days postoperatively.
  • Frequent stretching and moving at the site of excision should be performed for 1 month postoperatively to prevent axillary scar adhesion.

Ideal candidates

  • Those with mammary gland-type accessory breasts.
  • Those with unknown axillary lumps similar to accessory breasts.
  • Those with chronic axillary skin conditions due to oversized accessory breasts.
  • Those with accessory breasts that throb or cause discomfort.

Possible complications

  • Hypertrophic scar
  • Axillary concavity
  • Pigmentation
  • Hematoma
  • Poor wound healing
  • Inflammation
  • Numbness in the medial side of the arm

Surgical advantages

  1. Excision leaves no possibility of relapse in the future.

  2. Some axillary skin can be removed at the same time to avoid problems such as loose skin after surgery.

  3. Axillary skin lift can be performed in conjunction.

  4. Pathological inspection of the tissue can be performed.

Surgical drawbacks

  1. More obvious scar.

  2. A gauze is used in the underarms for fixation for at least 3 days; arm activity will be limited.

  3. Temporary numbness may be observed in the medial side of the arm after the surgery.

  4. More postoperative pain.

Before & After

These photographs represent typical results, but not everyone who undergoes plastic surgery will achieve the same.

Direct Excision