Transaxillary Breast Augmentation Technique

It is not uncommon for patients who come to see Dr. Crawford for a consultation about a breast augmentation procedure to be concerned about possible excessive scarring from the procedure. After all, the reason many patients opt for cosmetic surgery is to enhance their appearance. Unsightly scars might very well detract from that. One way in which the possibility of excessive scarring can be reduced is by using a transaxillary procedure to place the breast implants rather than the inframammary crease or areolar approach.  

What Are the Different Implant Placement Techniques?

• Inframammary crease: This is the most popular technique for placing breast implants and can be done with either silicone or saline implants. An incision is made in the inframammary crease (the point at which the lower part of the breast meets the chest wall) for placement. Implants can be placed either behind the glands (subglandular) or behind the chest muscles (submuscular). The inframammary approach is the most popular, but also results in the most noticeable scarring.
• Trans-umbilical: In this technique, the implants are placed by going up through the navel. This approach can only be done with saline implants, which are filled after being placed in the chest. Although this technique has the least amount of scarring, it is also not offered by many surgeons and has the greatest risk of infection.
• Peri-areolar: In this technique, Dr. Crawford makes a small incision around the areola (the darkened skin around the nipple) in order to place the implants. This can be done with saline implants and smaller silicone implants. While this is the most direct approach, there is the risk of losing nipple sensation.
• Transaxillary: The transaxillary breast augmentation approach involves the placement of breast implants via a small incision made in each armpit. Saline implants or smaller silicone implants are then inserted.

Advantages of the Transaxillary Placement Technique

The biggest advantage of the transaxillary approach is that the size of the scar will be very small (only one to two centimeters in length). Additionally, the scar will be even less noticeable because it is in the natural fold of the armpit.

Another advantage of the transaxillary procedure is that no muscles will be severed, so there will be less chance of scar tissue forming around the implant pocket and causing capsular contraction, which may make the implants shift position.

Finally, there is no risk of accidentally severing any nerves or mammary glands, so women can safely breastfeed following a transaxillary procedure. There is also little risk of decreased nipple sensation or numbness.  

Disadvantages of the Transaxillary Approach

The biggest disadvantage is that any revision surgery to adjust or remove the implants can’t be done through the existing transaxillary incision. This may be a very important consideration since implants will eventually require removal or replacement.

Perhaps the most important thing is for patients to discuss any of their placement preferences with a plastic surgeon at the consultation visit. This will allow the surgeon to select the placement technique that will not only meet the patient’s needs, but also do so in as safe a manner as possible.

Contact Crawford Plastic Surgery to schedule a consultation.