Gynecomastia. Surgical treatment

Abstract

Gynecomastia is an increase in the size of the mammary gland of the male. It has a varied etiology, mainly associated with hyperestrogenism, although in many cases it is idiopathic. This anomaly produces a deformity of an aesthetic character that provokes alterations of a psychological order in the patient. The aim of surgical treatment is to achieve a normal appearance of the masculine thorax, with the smallest possible scar. Surgical technique will mainly depend on the degree of the gynecomastia, and on the distribution and proportion of the different components (fat and parenchyma) of the breast. There are several alternatives: simple surgical exeresis; simple liposuction; surgical exeresis plus liposuction; and surgical exeresis plus cutaneous resection. Liposuction has emerged as one of the most important techniques applied in this pathology, either alone or in combination with other procedures. This paper describes the indications and different forms of surgical treatment.