Optima Plastic Surgery Clinic - Retraction and Nipple Plastic Surgery

This is the condition where a third nipple is formed along with natural breasts. Human beings have long mammary ridges on both sides from the armpit to the groin when in the womb. When an embryo is about nine weeks old, the other areas of the mammary ridge normally atrophy with the exception of the chest area. But in rare cases, another area along the mammary ridge may develop into breast tissue causing the condition known as accessory breast. This development may occur anywhere along the mammary ridge, but most frequently occurs in the armpit area. Depending on the situation, a nipple may form in this area. Usually, it feels like a lump, and may change in size throughout human development. The occurrence ratio is about 1~3%, which is relatively high, but if this growth is small in size it is generally ignored.

Symptom of Accessory breast
Physiological changes occur like any normal breast, so the periodic pain that comes and goes as the breast swells can coincide with normal breasts. Accessory breast may become particularly pronounced when there is a sudden gain in weight or stimulation of female hormones during pregnancy.

Diagnosis of Accessory breast
Accessory breast is not the same as breast cancer. However, Accessory breast is also made up of breast tissue, so in very rare cases, it is possible to have breast cancer in that area. When required, an examination by a breast specialist should be performed and photograph of the breast and ultrasonography taken. It is possible to confirm that breast tissue resides in the armpit area by photograph of the breast, and to check for any anomaly in the breast with ultrasonic waves.

Accessory breast can be controlled to an extent through diet and the size of Accessory breast can be reduced. There is no relationship with breast cancer, so it is fine to live with it if it is bearable. However, surgery may be a good option in the case that it is too big, causes pain or if you are expecting to be pregnant.
The mammary gland in the armpit may mature fully into a breast when there is sudden weight gain, which usually occurs in a person’s 40s, or when there is stimulation from female hormones during pregnancy. So, if you are preparing for pregnancy, it is recommended that you get surgery before pregnancy. If the tissue is properly removed by surgery, recurrence is extremely rare.

In the case of an incision on the fold of the armpit to minimize any scarring, it is difficult to incise enough of the front part of the Accessory breast, so liposuction is performed together. Through liposuction, it is possible to reduce skin and thus minimizes the range of skin resection. First, by making a small incision of 1cm along the fold of the armpit, the front area of Accessory breast can be removed through liposuction. If necessary, an incision of about 2~ 3cm by extending the original incision can be made so that the remaining breast tissue can be removed. If more removal is necessary, a skin resection would be performed with suppression using an elastic bandage.

01. Liposuction
In the case that sagging of Accessory breast is not severe, liposuction through a small 1cm incision on the inner part of armpit can be performed to remove the breast parenchyma as well as fat. Even in cases where there is a significant amount of breast parenchyma, it is possible to get good results by only using liposuction.

02. Resection of Mammary Gland
In the case that the Accessory breast is big and sagging, breast parenchyma should be removed directly by making an incision of about 2~3cm along the fold of the armpit. It is also performed when the breast parenchyma is close to the Accessory breast.

03. Liposuction+ Resection of Mammary Gland
In the case that the Accessory breast is big and sagging, a small incision of 1cm is made along the fold of the armpit and through this the front area of the Accessory breast would be removed through liposuction. If necessary, an incision of about 2~ 3cm by extending the original incision can be made so that the remaining breast tissue can be removed.

Accessory breast