Health Topics

Healthy Living

August 2010
Male Breast Reduction
No, They’re Not Sexy
Dr.Parag Sahasrabudhe
 
The normal male breast contains both adipose(fat) tissue and fibrous glandular tissue. True breast tissue in males is typically a small localised lump located immediately under the nipple, that is more firm than the surrounding fatty tissue.

Gynacomastia is the medical term for enlargement of male breast(s). This is caused by an excessive amount of fat tissue and/ or glandular breast tissue. Most male breasts that appear unusually large are the result of excessive fat.

Treatment Options
Liposuction is the most effective treatment for male breasts, because they contain a large amount of fatty tissue and glandular tissue. Microcannulas (very small long hollow needle with holes at the end), as used in liposuction procedures, are effective in removing both breast tissue and fatty tissue from the normal male breast. Exceptionally dense glandular breast tissue may require surgical removal using a scalpel, followed by a closure using stitches.

Liposuction Surgery
Liposuction of the male breast is a well-recognised procedure. The small size cannulas facilitate liposuction of male breast glandular tissue, and permit consistently outstanding results. Some surgeons advocate excision of the male breast tissue with a scalpel despite the relatively high incidence of scaring retraction and disfigurement.

Tumescent liposuction of the male breast can be accomplished totally by local anaesthesia with or without sedation. After gently injecting local anaesthesia into selected areas of the skin overlying the breasts, the breast tissue is penetrated by a microcannulas attached to suction machine. The negative vacuum suction sucks out excess fat and glandular tissue as well.

Result
It is a good idea for patients to assume that they will only achieve an 80 percent improvement – keep your expectations low, and you give yourself the chance to be pleasantly surprised! Potential causes of patient dissatisfaction include insufficient amount of tissue removed by liposuction, excessive scars, uneven or asymmetric results, and skin irregularities, though microcannulas tend to minimise these risks.

Male breasts can occur due to
  • Alcoholism
  • Failure of the testicles to produce sufficient testosterone hormone
  • Certain medications
Dr.Parag Sahasrabudhe is Consultant Plastic Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Pune

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