The Impact of Labiaplasty on Sexuality.

BACKGROUND: Labiaplasty is one of the aesthetic procedures that has shown the greatest increase in the number of operations in recent years, although the absolute number of these procedures is still very low. Labia minora hypertrophy causes not only functional discomfort and sexual difficulties, but also embarrassment and aesthetic concern. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of labiaplasty on the patient's quality of life, self-esteem, and sexual function. METHODS: Twenty-four consecutive sexually active patients, who expressed the desire to undergo labiaplasty, were divided into two groups of 12 patients each: the intervention group that underwent labiaplasty immediately after responding the first questionnaires, and the control group that received no intervention during the study period. All patients were assessed for health-related quality of life, self-esteem, and sexual function using the Brazilian Portuguese versions of the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey, the Brazilian version of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, and the Female Sexual Function Questionnaire, respectively. The questionnaires were administered at inclusion and at 3 and 6 months later in both groups. Comparisons within and between groups were performed. Statistical analysis was performed at a significance level of p < 0.05. RESULTS: No significant differences in Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale or Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey score were found in either group during the study period. However, a significant improvement was found in the Female Sexual Function Questionnaire total score in the pain and enjoyment domains. CONCLUSION: Labiaplasty had a positive impact on sexual functioning of the study population.

Volumetric Evaluation of the Mammary Gland and Pectoralis Major Muscle following Subglandular and Submuscular Breast Augmentation.

BACKGROUND: Besides being a procedure with high level of patient satisfaction, one of the main causes for reoperation after breast augmentation is related to contour deformities and changes in breast volume. Few objective data are available on postoperative volumetric analysis following breast augmentation. The aim of this study was to evaluate volume changes in the breast parenchyma and pectoralis major muscle after breast augmentation with the placement of silicone implants in the subglandular and submuscular planes. METHODS: Fifty-eight women were randomly allocated either to the subglandular group (n = 24) or submuscular group (n = 24) and underwent breast augmentation in the subglandular or submuscular plane, respectively, or to a control group (n = 10) and received no intervention. Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging was performed at inclusion in all participants and either after 6 and 12 months in the control group or at 6 and 12 months after surgery in the intervention groups. RESULTS: Twelve months after breast augmentation, only the subglandular group had a significant reduction in glandular volume (mean, 22.8 percent), while patients in the submuscular group were the only ones showing significant reduction in muscle volume (mean, 49.80 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Atrophy of the breast parenchyma occurred after subglandular breast augmentation, but not following submuscular breast augmentation. In contrast, submuscular breast augmentation caused atrophy of the pectoralis major muscle. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, II.

Evaluation of the effects of transaxillary breast augmentation on sentinel lymph node integrity.

BACKGROUND: The transaxillary approach for breast augmentation has gained popularity because of the absence of scarring on the breast. However, the effects of this procedure on breast cancer detection and treatment (which rely heavily on the results of axillary status studies) remain under debate. Specifically, sentinel lymph node biopsy is not indicated for patients who have undergone axillary surgery, due to controversy about the interference of the axillary approach with evaluation of the axillary drainage. OBJECTIVES: The authors evaluate changes in axillary lymphatic drainage in patients who underwent transaxillary breast augmentation. METHODS: Twenty-seven patients who presented to Rio de Janeiro State University for breast augmentation were selected for this study. All patients underwent preoperative mammary lymphoscintigraphy, a subsequent transaxillary breast augmentation, and postoperative lymphoscintigraphy at 21 days and six months after the procedure. The postoperative imaging results examining the axillary lymphatic chain and the first axillary lymph node were analyzed and compared to the preoperative images. RESULTS: One of the 27 patients (4.5%) demonstrated a lower rate of lymphatic drainage at 21 days postoperatively compared to preoperative values, but the flow rate had recovered by her six-month follow-up visit. All other patients showed no changes between the preoperative and postoperative images at either time point. The sentinel lymph node remained visible in all patients at all time points, and all breasts showed drainage primarily to the axillary lymphatic chain. Two patients experienced hematoma and one patient experienced late infection at four months postoperatively. The sentinel lymph node was still evident in both axillae. CONCLUSIONS: The data showed preservation of lymphatic drainage and visible sentinel lymph nodes even after transaxillary breast augmentation. Therefore, the authors believe that this procedure does not alter the integrity of mammary drainage for properly selected patients. These data provide surgeons with a less invasive treatment option for patients with early breast cancer, even when they have undergone prior breast augmentation through a transaxillary approach.