BACKGROUND: Breast augmentation is one of the most common plastic surgery procedures in Brazil and worldwide. There are 2 main locations for the implant: the subpectoral or submuscular plane and subglandular plane. The objective of the current study was to indicate the efficacy of the use of the subpectoral plane in cases of hypomastia. METHODS: Sixteen patients underwent breast augmentation between 2008 and 2011; the submuscular and subglandular planes were used in 9 and 7 patients, respectively. Myotomy of the pectoralis major muscle was performed in all cases where the submuscular plane was used. RESULTS: The pre- and postoperative aspects of 5 cases of patients undergoing breast augmentation are presented. Better results were obtained using the submuscular plane for patients with severe hypomastia. Myotomy of the pectoralis proved critical to the success of the surgery, because it provided the submuscular pocket required to house the breast implant without subjecting it to the pressure caused by muscle contraction. CONCLUSIONS: The proper use of the submuscular plane in patients with hypomastia is safe, facilitates cancer screening, does not alter muscle function, protects the breast parenchyma, and ensures more natural and long-term results.
Mammaplasty; Breast; Breast implantation
