ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - Gynecomastia, the correction of enlarged male breasts, is a taboo subject that haunts tens of thousands of young men, often causing low self-esteem or embarrassment. Due to technological advances, men can now safely and effectively have this condition corrected with minimal or no scarring through ultrasound-assisted liposuction, according to an article published in the February issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS).
Gynecomastia, which according to some studies affects up to 30 percent of men, is a benign condition that most often occurs in prepubescent boys. The condition is characterized by dense or fibrous breast tissue that does not diminish after puberty. According to the ASPS, more than 18,500 men had male breast reduction surgery in 2001. Of these men, 65 percent were under age 35.
"Gynecomastia is a condition rarely talked about," said Rod Rohrich, MD, ASPS president-elect and co-author of the study. "I've met numerous young men and their parents who wished they had known earlier there was a treatment for this problem. Ultrasound-assisted liposuction allows men to regain their confidence and feel free to participate in activities they used to shy away from."
Dr. Rohrich and colleagues at the University of Texas Southwestern Department of Plastic Surgery have developed a classification and management system for gynecomastia that suggests ultrasound-assisted liposuction is safe and effective to treat most cases of the condition. The ultrasound technique melts fibrous breast tissue, allowing plastic surgeons to remove it through small incisions, with minimal scarring and recovery time. The authors note, in some gynecomastia cases, only traditional liposuction is required to remove tissue.
Traditional treatment for gynecomastia typically involves the surgical removal of breast tissue, often coupled with traditional liposuction to contour the chest. This method may leave patients with large, visible scars, and longer recovery time.
The authors based their recommendations on their experience treating 61 patients with gynecomastia. The team had an 87 percent success rate using the appropriate combination of traditional and ultrasound-assisted liposuction. Eight patients, who suffered from advanced cases of gynecomastia, later required the surgical removal of excess breast tissue and skin to better contour the chest.
Before any patient has ultrasound-assisted or traditional liposuction to treat enlarged male breasts, a clinical evaluation of the patient by a board-certified plastic surgeon is paramount, including an in-depth review of the patient's medical history and a physical examination of the breasts. Additional diagnostic testing should be individualized to address abnormalities in the patient's medical history or physical exam and rule out other underlying causes.
"Gynecomastia is not an uncommon problem - which leaves one to wonder how many men silently suffer with this disease without treatment," said Dr. Rohrich. "Now there is a simple and creative solution that erases all the embarrassment associated with gynecomastia. With ultrasound-assisted liposuction, these men can not only look better but feel better about themselves."
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