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Autologous intrapectoral fat injection with gynecomastia correction can produce masculine appearance

Simultaneous autologous intrapectoral fat injection and gynecomastia correction may provide a successful method for achieving a natural, masculine appearance in patients, according to researchers.

The researchers studied 26 men with gynecomastia who underwent liposuction and glandular excision, glandular excision alone or Benelli-type skin excision. Each of the patients also received intramuscular fat injections to predetermined zones of the pectoralis major.

Nineteen of the patients presented with Simon grade 2a gynecomastia, five patients had grade 2b gynecomastia and two patients had grade 1 gynecomastia. Mean BMI was 25.2.

Surgeons made an isolated glandular excision through a semilunar incision in 21 patients. A periareolar incision for a Benelli-type skin excision was chosen for five patients. Ten of the 26 patients required liposuction in addition to glandular excisions, and 16 patients underwent direct excisional lipectomy. The mean volume of fat injected was 160 mL.

On the first day postoperatively, one patient presented with a hematoma; however, this was resolved by secondary hemostasis. Two patients experienced a lump which disappeared with gentle massage during the follow-up period. One patient developed a depression underneath the areola and underwent lipografting during the 11th postoperative month with favorable results.

Hypoesthesia was experienced by five patients in the early follow-up period; however, these patients had complete sensory recovery by the end of the monitoring period. No patient complained of scarring, and patient satisfaction surveys averaged a score of 8.4 out of 10 according to the researchers.

The researchers concluded that their method, which involves visualization of the pectoralis major, is safer than injection guided by ultrasound without the direct observation of the pectoralis major. - by Abigail Sutton

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.