Etymed
mammoplasty
Definition
Surgical repair or reconstruction of the breast
Clinical context
A 28-year-old woman presents with a large, painful breast lump that has been growing over several months. Physical examination reveals a firm, irregular mass in the upper outer quadrant with some skin changes. She undergoes a mammoplasty procedure to remove the mass and reconstruct the breast contour. Histopathology confirms invasive ductal carcinoma. The patient requires additional radiation therapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. A 35-year-old woman presents after a motor vehicle accident with severe trauma to her right breast, resulting in extensive tissue damage and deformity. She undergoes immediate breast reconstruction through mammoplasty techniques involving tissue flap coverage and implant placement. Post-operatively, she experiences some wound healing complications but ultimately achieves satisfactory cosmetic outcome with preserved nipple-areolar complex integrity.
Mnemonic
Mammoplasty = Mammogram + Plastic surgery (Mammoplasty = MAMMO + PLASTY = BREAST REPAIR)