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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Plast Surg 2023; 56(05): 431-438
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775552
Original Article

Breast Augmentation in Transwomen: Can We have a Formula?

Sasanka Sekhar Chatterjee
1   Enhance Aesthetic and Cosmetic Clinic, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
2   Department of Plastic Surgery, Institute of Post Graduate Medical Education and Research, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Manoj Khanna
3   Enhance Cosmetic Clinic, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
,
Neelam Yadav
1   Enhance Aesthetic and Cosmetic Clinic, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
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Abstract

Background Breast augmentation in transwomen is a surgical challenge as there is no available guideline for preoperative assessment of breast implant size, which caters to them specifically. The aim of our study is to derive a formula for preoperative breast implant size estimation, which would remove the personal bias, help in one-to-one discussion, and better understanding, reducing operative time, cost, and revision surgery rate.

Methods This is a retrospective study conducted from October 2018 to December 2020. We maintained a routine protocol for measurements in our patients, which has been previously published. Linear multivariate regression equation was applied to derive a formula using minimum of parameters, namely, CC (chest circumference at the inframammary fold [IMF]), POMP (circumference at the point of maximum projection of breast mound), and LOWERDIFF (lower value of difference in each breast between the stretched nipple [IMF] and the nonstretched nipple [IMF distance]).

Results A total of 51 transwomen underwent surgery in this period. The mean volume of implant used was 354.51 mL. Complications consisted of pain and discomfort in six patients, delayed healing in two patients, and wound dehiscence in one. A formula for preoperative calculation of breast implant was obtained with these data. A mathematical correlation was found between complications encountered and the percentage by which the inserted implants exceeded the calculated size.

Conclusion We could estimate the breast implant size preoperatively through a simple formula that require only four anthropometric measurements. This equation is a significant advantage for the surgeon and a useful tool for patient education. Its usefulness will be established if applied in prospective studies. From our study, it appears 9% above the calculated size is better avoided.

Keywords

breast augmentation - implant size estimation - silicone implant - transwomen


Publication History

Article published online:
20 October 2023

© 2023. Association of Plastic Surgeons of India. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/)

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