Kinds of Incisions In Breast Augmentation

Breast implants for augmentation may be placed through different types of incisions: Inframmary, periareolar, transaxillary, transumbilical, and transabdominoplasty,

Inframammary is an incision placed below the breast in the infra-mammary fold (IMF). This incision is the most utilized approach and provides maximum access for accurate dissection and placement of an implant. It is often the opted technique for silicone gel implants due to the longer incisions required.

Periareolar is an incision is placed along the areolar border. This incision provides an optimal approach when adjustments to the IMF position or mastopexy (breast lift) procedures are planned. The incision is generally placed around the inferior half, or the medial half of the areola’s circumference. Silicone gel implants can be difficult to place via this incision due to the length of incision required (~ 5 cm) for access.

Transaxillary is an incision is placed in the armpit and the dissection tunnels medially. This approach allows implants to be placed with no visible scars on the breast and is more expected to consistently achieve symmetry of the inferior implant position.

Transumbilical (TUBA) is a less common technique where an incision is placed in the navel and dissection tunnels superiorly. This approach enables implants to be placed with no visible scars on the breast, but makes appropriate dissection and implant placement more difficult. However, this technique is not appropriate for placing silicone gel implants due to potential damage of the implant shell if attempting insertion through the small 2 cm incision in the navel, and as those implants are pre-filled they cannot be passed through that incision.

Transabdominoplasty (TABA) is a procedure like TUBA, where the implants are tunneled up from the abdomen into bluntly dissected pockets while a patient is simultaneously going through an abdominoplasty procedure.