Article
Current Trends in Breast Augmentation - An International Analysis
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Published: | August 16, 2017 |
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Outline
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Background: Breast augmentation surgery remains the most frequently performed aesthetic surgical procedure worldwide. However, many variations exist in terms of preoperative planning, surgical management, and postoperative care. Goal was to evaluate current trends and practices in breast augmentation with a focus on international variability.
Methods: A questionnaire was sent to over five thousand active breast surgeons in over 20 countries worldwide. The survey inquired about current controversies, new technologies, common practices, secondary procedures, and surgeon demographics. The findings and variations were evaluated and correlated to evidence-based literature.
Results: There were a total 628 respondents with a response rate of 12.3 percent. While certain approaches and common practices prevail also on an international basis, there exist several geographic controversies. For example, while almost fifty percent of surgeons in the USA and Latin America never use anatomically shaped implants, in Europe and Oceania most surgeons use them. Similarly, in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, over 80 percent of surgeons use silicone implants only, whereas in the US only 20 percent – meanwhile US surgeons use the largest implants (78 percent > 300 cc). Internationally dominant practice preferences include preoperative sizing with silicone implants, as well as use of inframammary incisions and partial submuscular pockets.
Conclusions: Significant differences exist when comparing most common surgical breast augmentation approaches on an international basis. While certain techniques seem to be universal standard, there still remain several controversies. Further standardizing this most common esthetic surgical procedure according to evidence-based guidelines will aid to improve outcomes.