Scarless Breast Reconstruction: Indications and Techniques for Optimizing Aesthetic Outcomes in Autologous Breast Reconstruction

Scarless surgery has been an elusive goal in plastic surgery, but for a subset of patients breast reconstruction without visible scars is possible (Figure ​(Figure11).1,2 Any time a full-thickness incision is made through the skin, a scar will inevitably result, but in many patients the scars can be positioned and concealed to yield a breast mound without visible scars at the completion of the breast reconstruction.3–7 Open in a separate window Fig. 1. Pre- and postoperative patient photographs. A, Preoperative view of a patient who is indicated for a bilateral mastectomy. Breasts demonstrate minimal ptosis and moderate volume. The mastectomy weight in this case was 596 g on the left and 551 g on the right. B, Completed breast reconstruction following 2 surgical stages and nipple areola tattoo. The tattoo extends beyond the border of the areola resulting in no visible scars on the reconstructed breasts.