Yes, it can remove excess axillary breast tissue.
Among the many aspects of cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, the recording of axillary breast tissue—medically known as polymastia or accessory breast tissue—is common. In most cases, this tissue appears as a protrusion in the armpit area and usually includes both. Besides a cosmetic consideration, some patients experience discomfort and it worsens at times of hormonal changes. The main dilemma is whether a liposuction operation will suffice to get rid of the tissue or if an extensive surgical excision is needed.
At Lin Health Europe Clinic, we stress that the success of liposuction for axillary depends solely on the microscopic structural makeup of the protruding tissue. Although a routine liposuction operation can effectively remove the fat from the axillary region, it is not capable of extracting the glandular tissue portion. Patients who have the intention of coming to Turkey for the procedure must undergo a thorough preoperative physical examination and ultrasound scan which will identify if the condition is “pseudopolymastia” (just an accumulation of fat) or true accessory breast tissue with a mammary gland. It is crucial to know this in order to achieve a flawless, long-lasting axillary contour.
A Morphological Classification of Axillary Tissue
By classifying the tissue with the aid of the Kajava classification system, the decision to perform a liposuction operation can be made. The presence of true axillary breast tissue is an unstable manifestation of the mammary line that, due to failure to regress during embryonal development, resulted in the formation of this remnant. This tissue may present with a full nipple-areola complex on its surface, may be just glandular tissue, or may only have a hairless patch of skin. If the bump is solely fat, it is considered pseudopolymastia, the condition that responds extremely well to conventional liposuction techniques.
Conversely, if the area of the lesion corresponds to that of a gland, a surgeon’s tool will likely be limited by the mechanical properties of the tissue. Glandular tissue is fibrous, dense, and firmly attached to the overlying skin and underlying fascia. With the help of a normal liposuction cannula, fat tissues can be loosened and removed, but the cannula will just glide over the gland without removing it. Specialists at Lin Health Europe Clinic in Turkey are equipped with high-resolution imaging devices to perform such tissue mapping. If a major gland is found, we generally carry out a “hybrid” operation, where we perform liposuction first to get rid of fat and, after that, make a small incision to remove the gland.
VASER Liposuction and Axillary Contouring
After the introduction of Vaser liposuction, it seems that the treatment of the axillary area is no longer the same for most patients. This ultrasound-assisted procedure utilizes the acoustic energy to break down the fat cells selectively while also severing the fibrous septae that may surround the accessory breast tissue. The thermal and mechanical energy of the vaser probe may also be effective in making minor glandular components softer and, therefore, more easily aspirated than in the case of conventional “cold” liposuction. The surgeon can then eliminate the bulge more thoroughly through a very small incision.
Also, the axilla is the place where the retraction of the skin is the most important. After having the volume in the armpit reduced, the skin may become “crepey” or saggy if the dermis does not sufficiently tighten. By using ultrasound energy, Lin Health Europe Clinic is capable of promoting neocollagenesis. New collagen fibers are thus produced in the subdermal plane, which results in an overall tightening effect that allows the skin to conform to the newly-created, hollowed contour of the axilla. Patients in Turkey can
An Outline of Neurovascular Safety and Surgical Execution
Anatomically, the axilla is a critical “crossroads” housing the axillary artery, vein, and the brachial plexus (a network of nerves). In order to do a liposuction operation safely in this area, the surgeon must have a very thorough knowledge of the neurovascular structures. While working in this layer, the doctor should be careful not to damage the long thoracic nerve or the intercostobrachial nerve since the latter innervates the skin on the medial side of the arm. Traumatizing these structures may result in local anesthesia or, in very exceptional cases, in slight motor impairment.
We at our Turkey branch apply a blunt-cannula technique combined with exact tumescent infiltration to create the maximum level of safety possible. The tumescent solution is not only used for anesthesia, but it also helps separate fat from the deeper neurovascular elements by making a “protective layer” of fluid. A gentle, retrograde motion is used to deliver the axillary breast tissue at the same time the lymphatic vessels are kept intact. This careful technique contributes significantly to lower the chances of postoperative lymphedema and makes it possible for the patient to return to the normal use of the arm very quickly.
Post-Operation Healing and Continued Stability
Healing after axillary liposuction is usually pretty fast; however, it does involve the upper limb management. Due to the fact that the axilla is an area with high mobility, especially during the first week, patients may feel their tissue around the local site of the operation to be one of the most important treatments to reduce the pupillary gap as much as possible and thus to have less bulge, which can be achieved through Vaser liposuction. This ultrasound-assisted technology uses acoustic energy to selectively emulsify fat cells while breaking down the fibrous septae that often surround accessory breast tissue. The thermal and mechanical energy of vaser probe can also be used to make minor glandular components softer and thus easier to aspirate than traditional “cold” liposuction. This allows for a more complete removal of the bulge through a microscopic incision.
At Lin Health Europe Clinic, the patients are made aware of the fact that removing fat cells is a permanent procedure, while glandular tissue after the operation can still follow hormonal cycles. The result will be a flat and stable contour that will neither swell during menstruation nor pregnancy if the glandular part has been taken care of properly at the time of the operation in Turkey. Great satisfaction over a long period appears to the majority of patients when the excision of the tissue lowers or even eliminates skin irritation and enables the patient to wear tighter clothing or swimwear comfortably.
Lin Health Europe Clinic Stance on Axillary Surgery
Axillary fullness, in our opinion at Lin Health Europe Clinic, is one of those conditions that can make a person feel very low about their physical appearance. In our clinical work in Turkey, we base our practices on commitment to accuracy and personalized care. It is not our style to give every case the same “standard” liposuction treatment; indeed, we carry out a detailed tissue analysis to decide whether a patient needs Vaser liposuction, direct excision, or a combination of both.
We can be certain that the root of the bulge problem – whether it is due to fat or gland – is thoroughly resolved in this way. Running our practice out of a certified surgery center, we keep the tightest standard to safety and aesthetic perfection. Our full care program in Turkey comprises the preoperative consultation as well as postoperative support through the team of nurses. Through the perfect combination of hi-tech and advanced skills of the surgeon, Lin Health Europa Clinic achieves a well-defined axillary contour, thus helping international patients to get a more proportionate and pleasing shape…
Frequently Asked Questions About Axillary Breast Tissue
If the lump is made of dense glandular tissue, it is most likely that only surgical excision will be able to remove it. Liposuction works well for removing fat but there is no possibility to extract mammary glands that are very hardened.
It is a fact that only through surgery the excessive breast tissue can be removed permanently. Once the fat and glands are taken out of the axilla, they will not grow back.
The small incisions should not be visible as they are placed under the armpit skin folds. Over a period of few months, these tiny entry points usually become almost invisible lines.
A majority of the patients say that what they feel is a sort of pain from tightness in the area rather than pain from the surgery. The feeling of discomfort can be effectively controlled through medication and usually goes away in a couple of days.
By the use of ultrasound, the energy becomes a great activator of collagen production which leads to the skin becoming more firm after the fat has been removed. Loose skin doesn’t appear thus, a much smoother contour is left.
Aydogan, F., et al. (2010). Aesthetic and functional outcomes of axillary breast tissue excision. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
Hurwitz, D. J., et al. (2014). Treatment of the axillary bulge in the massive weight loss patient. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
de Bree, E., et al. (2015). Accessory breast tissue: Pathology and clinical management. Surgical Oncology.
Down, S., et al. (2003). Management of accessory breast tissue. The Breast.
