Background: Many augmentation mammaplasty techniques have been developed paying special attention to incision location and pocket plane to achieve more natural-looking breasts. Methods: The authors’ technique of choice in patients with mammary hypoplasia, empty breasts following a diet program, or more than one lactation episode causing skin flaccidity without ptosis is the placement of an anatomical implant using a transaxillary approach in a subfascial plane with endoscopic assistance. Thus, ideal patients are those presenting mammary hypoplasia, empty breasts following two or more lactation episodes, and breast skin flaccidity without ptosis, with the nipple-areola complex placed above the inframammary fold. The technique and its indications are presented thoroughly. Results: Forty-five patients were operated on using this technique from May of 2001 to October of 2003. One-year follow-up results showed highly rated patient satisfaction. One patient underwent an implant exchange because of implant size dissatisfaction. Conclusions: The authors prefer subfascial plane implants to submuscular ones. Possible rotation of anatomic implants and the subsequent asymmetry when contracting the pectoral muscle are avoided. Pectoral muscle is not detached from its insertions, resulting in less postoperative pain. Likewise, the authors prefer a subfascial to subglandular pocket since the weight of the subglandular pocket and the glandular weight itself are borne by the skin envelope leading to breast ptosis development over time. On the other hand, fascia provides additional support to the subfascial implant, thus eliminating ptosis development and achieving good filling of the upper pole similar to the filling provided by subglandular implants.
Summary: The superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) flap is one of the most suitable flaps to cover distal extremity defects due to its lack of bulkiness and donor site concealment. However, it is less popular than other perforator flaps due to its anatomical variations, short pedicle length, and small caliber vessels. We describe a novel design for the SCIP flap, consisting of a chimeric flap with a piece of the external oblique muscle fascia. The purpose of this design is to cover and protect the vascular anastomosis in distal lower limb defects where recipient vessels are superficial and skin coverage is poor. In addition, lengthening the pedicle with this design makes the flap more versatile. The addition of a cuff of fascia in harvesting of the SCIP flap lengthens the pedicle, allowing easier insetting of the skin paddle and providing complete protection and coverage of the vessels. This procedure allows greater versatility in inset of the skin paddle and is particularly suitable in cases where recipient vessels are superficial or when skin coverage is poor.