Transabdominal Breast Augmentation With Silicone Gel Implants

Background Breast augmentation is frequently performed together with abdominoplasty. Although breast augmentation incisions generally heal well, patients almost universally will appreciate having fewer scars; this is the basic rationale for transabdominal breast augmentation. In addition, a transabdominal approach may decrease the risk of implant contamination because there is no contact of the implants with skin. Methods A chart review of the senior author's private practice, from 2012 to 2020, was performed; 68 female patients who underwent abdominoplasty in association with transabdominal breast augmentation, with at least 1 year of follow-up, were included. All patients underwent liposuction, standard abdominoplasty with wide suprafascial abdominal flap undermining, and liposuction of the abdominal flap as needed. Round, silicone gel implants (Mentor Siltex, Santa Monica, CA) were used. Results A total of 68 patients were operated on. Mean age was 49 years (range, 25–68 years), mean body mass index was 25.7 kg/m2 (range, 22.3–29.5 kg/m2). The most commonly used implant volume (mode) was 270 mL (range, 225–395 mL). Implants were high (75%) or ultrahigh profile (25%). Eight patients (15%) had previously undergone breast augmentation. Seven patients (12%) underwent simultaneous breast fat grafting. There were no major complications. There were no complications related to the breast augmentation (ie, no extrusion or infection, malposition requiring revision, or capsular contracture). No patients requested upsizing or other revision of their implants. With regard to the abdominoplasty, there were 4 cases of well-circumscribed seroma treated with serial aspiration in the office. There were no cases of abdominoplasty site infection. Five patients required revision of abdominoplasty incisions. Two patients requested revision liposuction after weight gain. Conclusions Breast augmentation through an abdominoplasty incision may incur benefits beyond the obvious single surgical scar. Overall, transabdominal breast augmentation, in adequately selected patients, is an option which is safe, does not increase operative time, can lead to good results, and may potentially decrease some complications related to breast augmentation through other incision sites.